Christmas lights switch-on tonight

Scarborough Council has invited the star of the Stephen Joseph Theatre’s festive family show Pinocchio to do the honours tonight, with help from the Mayor of the Borough of Scarborough, Cllr Simon Green.

The entertainment will start at around 4.45pm outside the Brunswick Centre, where the Scarborough 2016 Christmas tree will take pride of place.

Crowds will be joined around an hour later by Pinocchio, choirs from the Stephen Joseph Theatre and Wheatcroft Community Primary School, and community groups including the WEA (Workers’ Educational Association), who will bring members of their current samba drumming course at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, the FirstLIght Trust and the Scarborough Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade Bands.

Also joining in the fun will be the Santas from Saint Catherine’s Hospice.

The official lights switch-on will take place at 6pm; before and after which there will be music and singing and a special surprise from Santa.

Victoria Mitchell, the manager of the Brunswick Shopping Centre, which has sponsored the lights, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this switch-on event. Stores in the centre will be open until 7pm, and the car park will close at 7.30pm.”