Countdown underway for glittering show!

(Date of issue: Monday, 14 November 2011)

The countdown is underway for this Sunday’s (20 November) Carlisle festive lights switch on.

Carlisle City Council, cnevents and CLL Events have teamed up to provide a packed family entertainment programme, to suit all ages. This year, sponsorship has also been provided by Jopsons Jewellers, Bannatyne's Health Club, Reay's Coaches and Burnetts Solicitors.

‘The BIG Switch On!’ stage will be in place outside the Old Town Hall and will play host to a fabulous afternoon that will include free open-air entertainment and star studded line up.

Olivia Story, will join the Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Barry Earp, to trigger a galaxy of Christmas lights in the city centre at 5.30pm. The programme will start at 2pm, when the stage will come alive with non-stop entertainment.

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said:

“The lights switch-on will mark the start of our festivities. There will be a packed programme of family entertainment, something to suit all tastes and the sparkling event will be a fitting start to our countdown to Christmas. Our overall Christmas programme includes a wide range of activities which we hope will appeal to residents and visitors alike and help support local businesses and boost the local economy during the festive period.”

The BIG Switch On! is part of Carlisle's countdown to Christmas. The programme will start at 2pm, when the stage will come alive with non-stop entertainment.

X Factor finalist Danyl Johnson will top the bill. Danyl rocketed to fame in 2009, when he ended up coming fourth in the competition. He amazed the audience, and judges alike, with his rendition of Joe Cocker’s ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, which has since become a You Tube sensation with over twenty million views.

He will be joined by Britain’s Got Talent Edward Reid, who the nation mesmerized when he appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in June 2011. He sang his version of Leona Lewis’s ‘Run’ but with nursery rhymes replacing the original lyrics. Although Edward did not go on to win, he has proven to be the most memorable act from this year’s show.

A third headline act will also be the seemingly unstoppable Stavros Flatley. Finalists in 2009’s Britain’s Got Talent, Demetri and his son Lagi wowed the audiences with their unique style of dancing. Simon Cowell described them as one his “Favourite ever dance acts”.

Steph Fearon who is starring as Cinderella in this year’s Sands panto, will also be performing. In 2010, Steph took part in the BBC TV Talent Show ‘Over the Rainbow’, in which Andrew Lloyd Webber searched for an actress to play Dorothy in the West End Musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the Palladium. Steph reached the semi finals eventually finishing in fourth place.

Also appearing at the event will be The Alleys, Stevie Las Vegas, Nikki Craig, Razzamataz Theatre School and the Richard Rose Dance Company.


Cumbria County CouncilDirect.Gov
Allerdale Borough Council logoEden District Council logo

Contact us

 01228 817000

Carlisle City Council
Civic Centre, Carlisle, Cumbria,
CA3 8QG