MyMiltonKeynes set to light up the city this Christmas

celebratemk

Oct 25

Celebrating the first festive season as an official city, Milton Keynes Christmas lights are set to be switched on in spectacular fashion by MyMiltonKeynes on Saturday 12th November.

The stage will be set outside Midsummer Place Shopping Centre from 3pm for an afternoon of free festive fun, before the sky above is illuminated with fireworks, lasers and snow along with the official Christmas light switch on.

MKFM's DJ Hurley will kick-start the event with music, and from 4pm the crowds will be entertained with a fun-packed schedule of activities, including family competitions, and a parade of the city's well-loved mascots.

Local dance groups, EM Dance Coaching, Romeo Dance Academy and Dancebox Studios are set to wow the crowds with their live performances, while the voices of local school choir singers will ring through the air.

All of this will take place before the biggest star of the evening takes to the stage – Father Christmas, alongside the City's Mayor, Cllr Amanda Marlow.

Once the crowds have counted down to the big moment, the Mayor will push the button at 5pm and set off a spectacular display to officially start the 2022 festive season for Milton Keynes.

A trail of Christmas lights will be switched on across the city centre, from the giant parcel outside John Lewis, to the wrapped trees and gift boxes along Midsummer Boulevard and a shooting star above Christ the Cornerstone Church. For the first time, the city will also see the central reservation, from Midsummer Place to the train station, aligned with light up cone trees, along with a giant Christmas tree at Exchange Square.

The lights and firework extravaganza will conclude with a rousing chorus of 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas', led by MKFM.

To coincide with the MyMiltonKeynes Christmas Light Switch On, Midsummer Place will be launching its Community Christmas Tree Festival, with local organisations sponsoring trees to raise funds and awareness of Milton Keynes charities. MyMiltonKeynes is proud to sponsor a tree for MK Snap, with its residents tasked with designing and decorating the tree ready for the competition, which will run until Saturday 18th December.

Melanie J Beck MBE, Chief Executive at MyMiltonKeynes said: "We are immensely proud of our Christmas Light Switch On, and this year's event is set to be the biggest yet. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helps to make this a truly spectacular occasion, and we look forward to seeing people from all across the city come together and kick start Christmas 2022 in fabulous style."

Shelley Peppard, General Manager at Midsummer Place "We can't wait for this year's Christmas Light Switch On, which is always such a momentous event in marking the start of Christmas in Milton Keynes. At Midsummer Place, we are helping people make it a day of the celebrations with a giant Helter Skelter, our Advent Calendar competition from December, plus visitors will also get to vote for

their favourite decorated tree at our Community Christmas Tree Festival which will help raise funds for local charities."

Keep up to date with all other Christmas related activities and events taking place across the city centre, including news of Santa's arrival to centre:MK on Saturday 18th November, by following @MyMiltonKeynes on social media.

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