St Helens Christmas lights switch on: all you need to know

Both shows will be headlined by multi-award-winning band, Boomin, whose special blend of big covers and festive hits went down a treat last year, with popular Sutton singer-songwriter, Jack Bennett, also playing at both events.

Festive characters will also be around to greet visitors – while funfair rides, arts and crafts activities, face painting and a free ice rink will add to the occasion.

There will also be appearances from the Pride of St Helens winner and local schools, with cast members from St Helens Theatre Royal’s Cinderella and representatives from four-in-a-row Super League Grand Final winners, Saints, set for the St Helens show.

Last year's Christmas light switch on (Image: Last year's Christmas light switch on) The St Helens town centre Christmas lights switch-on will be held in Church Square on Saturday, November 26, followed by the Earlestown switch-on the day after (Sunday, November 27) with both events getting underway at noon.

Christmas lights will also be switched on in other area across the borough.

Confirmed events to date include:

• Rainhill, Houghton Street - 27 November, 4.30pm
• Bold, Four Acre Shopping Centre – 28 November, 4.30pm
• Moss Bank, Elliot’s Field - 30 November, 4.15pm
• Haresfinch Park - 30 November, 5.30pm
• Haydock, Haydock Library - 1 December, 6.30pm
• Thatto Heath, Thatto Heath Road - 2 December, 4.30pm
• Windle, Bleak Hill Primary School - 2 December, 2pm
• Windle, Victoria Park - 3 December, 4.30pm
• Rainford, Church Road - 3 December, 3.45pm
• Newton-le-Willows, St Peter’s Church - 4 December, 5pm
• Parr, the Concourse, Derbyshire Hill Road – 5 December, 4pm
• Billinge, Millennium Garden - 9 December, 6pm

Last year's Christmas light switch on (Image: Last year's Christmas light switch on)Over the coming weeks, a number of Christmas trees will also be installed in all wards around the borough.

The following have sponsored the cost of the town centre trees and tree lights: English Cities Fund, the council’s regeneration partner for Earlestown and St Helens town centres; Balfour Beatty, contractor of the Parkside Link Road scheme; City Fibre who are currently carrying out works as part of a £30m investment to bring full fibre connectivity within reach of almost every home and business in St Helens Borough.

Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: “Our annual town centre Christmas lights switch on events give a platform to the many talented individuals and groups we have here to show off the very best of the borough over a two-day celebration as we begin the countdown to Christmas.

“This Christmas we’re really building on the successes and joy we saw last year. Despite the storms which prompted some late rescheduling, hundreds of local families turned out to see the fantastic line-up of performances - so if the reaction is anything like that, we’re certainly in for a good time.

“While visiting our town centres for these events, be sure to show your support to local businesses if you can and let’s make Christmas 2022 one to remember.”

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, added: “We know residents’ expectations when it comes to decorating our town centres up at Christmas which is all part of the festive experience and supports the local economy - but with funding scarce, yet demand for essential services rising, the council can’t always foot the bill so it’s great to have the support of the English Cities Fund, Balfour Beatty and City Fibre.

“My thanks go out to them for helping us spread some Christmas cheer and their contribution through the projects they are involved in which will all benefit our borough."