Norwich City Centre at Christmas.

You know Christmas is near when Norwich becomes aglow with hundreds of twinkly festive lights. This year Norwich will be more alight than ever before when it has not one, not two, but three Christmas light switch-ons – the first kicking off this Thursday!

With three Christmas light switch-ons taking place this November, Norwich will be glowing with bright lights, family entertainment and festive music. A great way to keep the kids entertained, and one of the most popular Norwichristmas traditions, all three flicks of the switch will be free of charge and full of Christmas magic. Father Christmas has even agreed to attend all three events because Norwich will be so lit up this winter that it will be easy for his reindeer to find!

The first light switch-on to take place is Chapelfield’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ on Thursday 4 November with Bob the Builder and snow machines – guaranteeing Norwich will have an early white Christmas. Children and adults will be mesmerised by real reindeer, carol singers, The Jack Frost Band performing on stilts, Bob the Builder and the first outing of Santa himself. From 5 to 9pm, the Chapelfield event will be the perfect way to mark the start of Norwichristmas in the city, which has over a hundred festive activities and experiences planned!

The second light extravaganza will begin at 4pm on Thursday 11 November at The Mall. ‘A Magical Christmas Experience’ will feature performances from Jamie Archer from the X Factor 2009, as well as carol singers, mulled wine and mince pies! Head to Santa’s grotto in The Mall to personally tell Santa your Christmas wish list – you may even be able to feed his reindeer too! The main switch-on will be at 7pm by Heart’s Toby Anstis.

Finally, the big light finale takes place on Thursday 18 November from 6.15pm. The Norwich City Council event is guaranteed to go off with a bang with roof-top fireworks at Jarrold and the switch-on of a 70 foot Christmas tree outside The Forum, provided by The Forum Trust and decorated with over 12,000 lights! Watch in delight as City Hall, the Guildhall, The Forum and Jarrold burst into light as pyrotechnics explode from the buildings and carol singers perform all your festive favourites.

For all the latest information on Norwichristmas 2010 visit www.norwichristmas.co.uk