Thousands expected at Barrow Christmas Light Switch On

The event is organised by husband and wife team Beth and Denis Horan, from Ultimate Events UK, who took it over in 2016 when the council could no longer find the funding.

An afternoon of festive entertainment will be presented by entertainers from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday.

Performers include Roose School Choir, Cee-Jay Williams, Paris Corkill, Zac Thompson, Leon Knight, Jack Dale and an Olivia Rodrigo Tribute act.

Organiser and professional singer Beth Horan will also take to the stage.

Special guests will include everyone’s favourite grumpy Grinch and the main man himself - Father Christmas.

Santa will be in his grotto, upstairs at The Forum, from 2.30pm where he will be giving out gifts to children.

There will be goodies such as sweet treats, flashing wands, light up hats and balloons as well as a lucky dip and free, festive face painting.

This year’s Switch On Star is Walney Under Eight’s Football team, The Yellows, who took to the pitch for 12 hours straight to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Walney Yellows U8 team (Image: Submitted)

The lights, which are stung up around the Town Hall, decorating The Forum and the Christmas tree, will be turned on around 6:45pm.

Denis said he was looking forward to the festivities and will be glad to see it all come together after lots of hard work.

“It will all be worth it,” he said. "It’s something for the community to come together for and kickstart the magic of Christmas.

“The weather isn’t looking great but I don’t think that it’ll put a dampener on people’s spirits. A bit of rain won’t stop us from having a good time, it’s all about seeing the smiles light up the children’s faces.”

The organisers are expecting to see between four and five thousand people.

“We don’t have a big budget, we took the event on voluntarily, it’s made for local people by local people,” Denis said.

“We’re very thankful to Spirit Energy for sponsoring the event.”