Oldham Set to Sparkle with Annual Christmas Light Switch-On

Oldham's Christmas lights will be turned on Saturday 15 November outside the Old Town Hall, capping an hour-long stage show that starts at 5.30pm sharp. The switch-on will be triggered by one local child who wins an online draw, then joined by Father Christmas to start the fireworks.

From 2pm the Market Hall hosts Bluey and Bingo in meet-and-greet slots, while the main stage lines up Oldham's Fierce Dance, the Coliseum's 'A Christmas Fair', Anton Benson's Beauty and the Beast panto cast, plus Rodney the Reindeer and 92-year-old fundraiser Frank Rothwell.

Council car parks give three hours free that day, and the town's pubs and cafés, from Nando's to The Fox and Pine, expect a rush of families making a full afternoon of it. Tommyfield Market traders hope the footfall turns into early Christmas sales.

The lights are only the opening act. Every Saturday until 13 December, 12 noon to 4pm, Oldham will close the centre to traffic and fill it with street bands, performers and children's craft workshops, giving shopkeepers four extra chances to pull shoppers in.

Entry forms for the child who pushes the button must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 12 November at oldham.gov.uk/push_the_button. The council says the entire programme is free, but surrounding businesses know the real price will be counted in takings.