CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACTION AT INTU UXBRIDGE
CROWDS of excited families gathered in Uxbridge town centre on Sunday to kick-start the celebrations for Christmas 2018, with Celebrity Big Brother winner Ryan Thomas turning on the lights.
intu Uxbridge and The Pavilions came alive with yuletide magic on Sunday as festive characters roamed the malls and put smiles on the faces of hundreds of happy children.
A giant polar bear, gingerbread men and spectacular stilt walkers brought the magic alive ahead of the festive countdown.
At 4pm, the annual parade saw hundreds of families follow Santa, Mayor of Hillingdon John Morgan, giant reindeer and festive characters as they led the procession through the town and to the stage.
Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas, who is also performing in Peter Pan at the Beck Theatre, started the countdown and helped light up Uxbridge town centre.
Laurie Taylor, general manager of intu Uxbridge, said: “The fabulously festive one-day event delighted visitors young and old and marked the start of our countdown to Christmas. We have lots of exciting things happening in the centre from now until Christmas – make sure you come along and see all our decorations, festive displays and fun family experiences.”
From Saturday, the popular Christmas Experience will return with four fantastically festive zones – the Snow Zone, Tree Zone, Gingerbread House and Christmas Workshop – and a magical snow display every 15 minutes.
Children can collect a sticker at each zone, before heading to Elf Passport Control at the Christmas Workshop to meet and have a selfie with Santa.
They will receive a free gift, plus make Christmas cards and 3D snowflakes to hang on the Christmas tree.