It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas In Guildford Town Centre

Published on: 20 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 30 Nov, 2015

By Melanie De Campos

The annual Christmas lights switch-on ceremony on Thursday (November 19), the most popular free event in the town, saw visitors young and old getting into the festive spirit early.

On go the Christmas lights in the High Street.

This was all thanks to a bit of pantomime on the Guildhall balcony, a taste of carol singing by the crowd, and of course, words of wisdom from Father Christmas, himself!

The hustle and bustle under the clock grew steadily until 7pm, when the mayor, Nikki Nelson-Smith, bested Dastardly Dick from the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, to help transform the High Street into an illuminated winter wonderland.

Fireworks were let off from the roof of White Lion Walk shopping centre.

On cue, the Christmas lights dazzled, snow fell softly and the lively crowd burst into song. The abundant festive cheer was even apparent in the fireworks display, which featured happy-face-shaped sparklers.

Brightening up the night sky.

The event marks the beginning of the festive shopping season, and it was announced by the jovial host, DJ Peter Gordon from Eagle Radio, that free parking at the town’s pay and display car parks will accompany late-night shopping hours every Thursday from 4pm, on November 26, and December 3, 10, and 17, courtesy of Experience Guildford.

He also announced that there were about 7,000 people in the High Street.

The town centre will also be hosting free wi-fi shortly before Christmas – a gift to shoppers!