A Lott to look forward to in Sunderland this Christmas
It will take the flick of switch, a top pop songstress, costumed characters and even a mobile cinema to get Christmas under way in Sunderland this year.
Bring along all the family to the city centre on Thursday where you can find superstar Pixie Lott will be swinging into Sunderland to spread a little seasonal sparkle at the city’s annual light switch-on.
The Mama Do singer, who was a judge on television’s The Voice and has appeared in a number of West End shows, will be taking to the stage at Keel Square from 5.30pm, where she will be joined by The Right Worshipful Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Doris MacKnight, for the big switch on.
And it’s not all just singing and fancy lights. There’s plenty of festive fun things to do too, such as grabbing selfies with well-known costumed characters, face-painting for the kids (and if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, how does spending the day snuggled up inside the Sky Cinema Bus at Keel Square sound, as it plays Disney Classics for the whole family?
If Walt Disney and the gang aren’t your thing, there will also be a range of community entertainment from 4.30pm, supporting the NSPCC and its Light Up Christmas for Children Campaign.
The star-studded switch on also coincides with the launch of Sunderland’s newest arts venue, The Fire Station. To celebrate the launch, a cast of more than 100 local people will be taking part in a spectacular live performance, named Fireflight – although this is a ticket-only event.
The performance, which has been created by acclaimed outdoor theatre company Periplum, will be followed by a colourful pyrotechnics show at 6.45pm.
And because having all this fun is hungry work, Sunderland BID has rounded up some of the North East’s leading street food stalls including Truly Madly Pizza, selling authentic wood oven pizzas and mouth-watering crepes from the lovely bunch at Flip ‘n’ Fast.
The Peacock pub will also be on hand to rustle up a delicious range of festive treats to gorge on whilst listening to Pixie’s pipes.
Sunderland BID has worked closely with Sunderland City Council and a number of other partners, including Sun FM, to bring together what promises to be a truly amazing start to the festive season, and this is just the beginning …