Darlington is preparing for the town’s official beginning of the festive season with the Christmas Lights Switch On, so here are some timings so you can plan your day out in the Market Square on Sunday.

From 4pm there will be some family-friendly entertainment on the stage led by TFM, as well as a gospel choir to put everyone in the mood for the festive season.

There will also be various children’s characters to spread some Christmas magic for little ones including; Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, as well as The Grinch.

The lights will be switched on at 5:30pm by Santa and Christopher Biggins, who is also appearing in Darlington Hippodrome’s pantomime, Peter Pan.

The Northern Echo: Darlington Christmas lights 2021Darlington Christmas lights 2021 (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

The event, sponsored by Homes by Esh, will end with a burst of fireworks to officially welcome Christmas to Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council's lighting team has been busy installing lights around the town centre and will be putting the finishing touches to the town’s Christmas tree in time for the big switch on.

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