Stevenage Christmas Lights Switch-On goes off with a bang as hundreds turn out for town centre show

Stevenage Christmas Lights Switch-On 2015 (Image: Archant)

This year’s headline act was Charlie Healy – one quarter of X-Factor boyband The Risk – who performed to the crowds before competition winners Finn and Shane Clynes press down the plunger at 6.30pm to illuminate the town centre.

Former Britain’s Got Talent star Robbie Firmin also made an appearance, while Stevenage favourites Roxy Searle and Max Keir, as well as up and coming new bands April Blue, Eutopia, Raw Kadence and the Cardinal Kings all took their turn in the spotlight too.

Charlie Healy (Image: Archant)

The cast of this year’s Sleeping Beauty pantomime at the Gordon Craig Theatre – including Coronation Street star Wendi Peters – also lent a hand, as Stevenage mayor Howard Burrell and borough council leader Sharon Taylor watched on.

The night, which opened with Warriorz Performing Arts Academy strutting their stuff and also included fun fair rides and Christmas stalls, concluded with fireworks.

Afterwards, town centre manager Tracey Parry said: “It was a great turnout as there always is – it’s a well established event in the town and a popular one.

“It was quite a cold day, but it didn’t seem to deter people and they came in their hundreds.

It was nice to see local performers being given a platform to showcase their talents and the fireworks at the end were amazing. The guys from Fairlands Valley Park do a sterling job and it made a great finale – for me it’s like Christmas has now arrived.”

A Christmas market in the Town Square is open daily between 9am to 5.30pm throughout the festive period, with a food court and gift stalls for shoppers to enjoy.