Southport Xmas Lights Big Switch On sees record crowds attend
Photos and video by Patrick Trollope.

SOUTHPORT'S Big Switch On is reported to have brought in over 9,000 people into the seaside report's Town Centre, on Sunday, 18 November 2018. The 2018 event was the opening of the festive season for the Town, that will see an ice skating rink and other attractions popping up around the centrepiece attraction, a 60ft LED modern frame 'tree.' This 'tree' is 1 of the biggest in the UK and you can walk through the centre of it, but beware, if you suffer from photosensitive epilepsy, you might not want to go in, also it can also be very disorientating inside for some people.  You can also click on here to see the interactive panoramic, which we have taken within the structure.

This centrepiece outside the Atkinson on the Town Hall Gardens was not the only thing that sparkles. There are also other lighting displays that both 'The Festive Decorators' along with partners, 'Ximenez Group' have installed in Southport's Town Centre for you to enjoy this year, that look stunning. It's worth adding that the Merseyside based firm 'The Festive Decorators' are well known for installing lights in Bethlehem and have been on TV many times as a result. In fact more lights have been installed in Southport than in previous years, thanks to the Southport BID who also organised the Switch On displays, along with the Town Centre attractions, that will lead up to and throughout the festive session. For more information see our event listings on our Mersey Reporter site and also on Sefton Council website.

This year's Switch on included not only the countdown on the 'tree,' but also fireworks on the roof of the Atkinson, thanks to the British Musical Firework Championship's 'Sirotechnics.'

The presenter bringing the show together this year was Love Island's, Scott Thomas. Headliners included not 1, but 3 of the biggest bands of the late 1990's:- 'S Club,' '911,' and house music legend 'Livin' Joy!'

An added 'surprise' was the arrival of Father Christmas, well no Switch On is complete without him… You can see our video of the Switch on and also Father Christmas being interviewed and "flossing" (dancing) on our Facebook Page now… Please, do add your comments about what you thought of the event to the page and also email over to our newsroom via the:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com email address.

Well done to all who took part in the event, and we look forward to seeing what's on offer from 1 December 2018, in the Town Centre and surrounding area… Keep an eye on our free 'Formby Reporter Email Bulletins' for all the latest updates and also 2 very special announcements…!!!

Please remember to Shop Local this Christmas... Help keep Southport and the district alive!!!

Click on here for our 360º Photos of the Lord Street, Southport's Xmas Tree Lights 2018...

More photographs on the next page... >>>

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