PRESTON, CHRISTMAS STARTS HERE! 🎄 It's the 2026 'Christmas Lights Switch On', organised by the BID and @SmoothNorthWest, with our headline partners, @Uni_Lancashire. Get ready for a HUGE night as East 17 headline Preston’s Christmas Lights Switch On! 🎤 📍 Flag Market, Preston 📅 Saturday 21 November ⏰ From 5.30pm 🎟️ FREE to attend! And what a line-up we’ve got in store… ⭐ EAST 17 will close the show with their iconic festive Number One, Stay Another Day, plus hits including Deep, Steam, Let It Rain and It’s Alright. With 18 Top 20 hits, four Top 10 albums and more than 140million streams of their festive anthem, they’re ready to bring some serious nostalgia to #Preston! 🎶 JUST THE BRAVE Scottish pop sensations Danny, Seany, Fin, Caleb and Rocco will bring their infectious pop, perfect harmonies and serious stage energy. With millions of online hits, radio airplay & TV appearances, and fans including Lewis Capaldi, Emeli Sandé and Ronan Keating, they’re ones to watch! ⚽ PRESTON NORTH END WOMEN The brilliant Champions of the North will be joining the celebrations too. 🕺 AMNESIA a five piece live party band bringing the biggest 90s dance anthems to the Flag Market. Expect Show Me Love, Freed From Desire, Set You Free and Rhythm of the Night, all performed 100% live. No laptops. No decks. Just proper instruments and huge energy! 👠 CINDERELLA The cast of Preston’s official pantomime will make a special appearance with an exclusive preview created especially for the Switch On! Expect dazzling costumes, catchy songs, audience participation, boos for the baddies and cheers for our heroine! 🎤 PETER GILDERNEW Preston’s own adopted hometown favourite will kick things off with a couple of big songs and plenty of his trademark energy. 🎅 SANTA … Because it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without him! 🌟 AND THERE’S MORE… As well as these performers, we also have another special guest up our sleeves… all will be revealed on the night! Fancy switching on Preston’s Christmas lights in front of thousands of people? 👀 The ‘Switch On Star’ competition, in partnership with Blog Preston, Preston North End FC and Preston North End Community & Education Trust, opens on 1st November. The lucky winner will: ✨ Join the performers on to switch on the lights 🎟️ Become a VIP guest at the event ⚽ Lead the teams out before kick-off at Preston North End v Norwich City on Saturday 28 November Keep your eyes peeled for more details! 🅿️ FREE PARKING: Thanks to support from @prestoncouncil and @LancashireCC, free parking will be available at Preston Bus Station, Trinity Square and Peny Street car parks from 1pm on Switch On day. Come into town early, make a day of it, enjoy the entertainment and stay afterwards for food and drinks. There’ll also be a complimentary parking offer across December, with details to follow once confirmed by the authorities. 🤟 MAKING CHRISTMAS MORE INCLUSIVE: Performances will be supported by a BSL interpreter, thanks to Disability Equality North West. 🎄 Best of all, the entire event is FREE, thanks to headline partners, the University of Lancashire, continued support from Preston city centre businesses, and supporters @prestoncouncil, Street Monkeys Academy, The Guild Lounge and @thespudbrothers. So gather your family, bring your Christmas spirit and get ready for one massive festive celebration. Preston’s Christmas starts here!