When is Hartlepool's 2018 Christmas lights switch-on, who is switching them on and what else is happening?

Christmas is well and truly round the corner - and it's going to start with a bang in Hartlepool tomorrow.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Nov 2018, 13:06 BST
Updated 29th Nov 2018, 13:10 BST
Will you be going to the Christmas lights switch on?Will you be going to the Christmas lights switch on?
Will you be going to the Christmas lights switch on?

The town's Christmas lights will be switched on on Friday, officially marking the start of the festive season.

And a line-up packed with girl power will be flipping the switch in Church Square.

The celebrations are kicking off tomorrow afternoon.The celebrations are kicking off tomorrow afternoon.
The celebrations are kicking off tomorrow afternoon.
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Soap star Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in Coronation Street, was due to flip the switch, but she can no longer appear.

Instead, joining the mayor of Hartlepool to press the button will be 2018 X Factor finalist Molly Scott, from Easington who studied at English Martyrs School; youngster and Best of Hartlepool award winners Dottie O’Keefe, who is making amazing progress to walk, despite having cerebral palsy; and 12-year-old Neisha Webb, who was born with part of one leg missing but has become a talented cheerleader against the odds with the help of a prosthetic blade.

Completing the group will be town boxing champion Savannah Marshall and 2018 Keep Britain Tidy Litter Hero Jessica Stones

The festivities will get underway at around 4.30pm, with free fun for the whole family, until around 7pm.

Lots of smiles at a previous switch-on event.Lots of smiles at a previous switch-on event.
Lots of smiles at a previous switch-on event.
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Here's a look at the running order for this year's celebration.

4.30pm: The event will be opened by Neil and Amy from BBC Tees.

4.40pm: Acoustic duo Pek & Wanley will perform for the crowds and get them warmed up for the big switch on.

5pm: Our Christmas will get a little sparkle on top as the cast of this year’s Hartlepool pantomime, Cinderella, visit the switch-on event.

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5.10pm: Miss Toni's Academy Choir will perform some Christmas classics to help us embrace the spirit of the season.

5.30pm: Fresh from performing at the Christmas lights in Sunderland last week, Channy Thompson will take to the stage. The singer has supported Olly Murs, Sigala and Scouting for Girls at a range of shows.

5.55pm: Formed after studying for a diploma in music at New College Durham, the brothers will be the last musical act to warm up the crowds ahead of the main event.

6.30pm: Let their be light! The decorations will be switched on.

6.35pm onwards: A performance from X Factor star Molly Scott.

Related topics:Brooke VincentHartlepoolSavannah Marshall