Famous faces to switch on Wigan's Christmas lights

The countdown to Christmas will officially begin on Thursday, November 15, when the town centre’s annual festive lights display will be turned on.

And it won’t just be Santa Claus who is coming to town, there will also be plenty of famous faces in tow to celebrate the festivities.

Reality star Jake Quickenden will be headlining the highly anticipated night, among a whole host of festive performances.

Jake shot to fame back in 2014 when he auditioned for the eleventh series of The X Factor and made it through to the live shows.

He was soon snapped up to appear on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in which he finished the show as runner-up to Carl Fogarty.

And earlier this year, he skated his way to victory as the winner of ice-skating competition Dancing On Ice.

Jake will be performing several Christmas hits as well as some of the most popular songs from his own repertoire.

Wigan’s very own Olivia Garcia, who also appeared in 2014’s X Factor, will also grace the stage on the night.

Jake McKechnie, who reached the live final of last year’s The Voice Kids, will be yet another of the borough’s talented artists performing, as will singer Scott Chapman, the Wigan Rock

Choir and special guests from Wigan Warriors.

The event will be taking place in the usual location in Market Place, and will start from 4.30pm, with the lights expected to be switched on just before 7pm. It will be free for everyone to attend and all are welcome.

But the fun doesn’t stop there.

On Sunday November 18, Father Christmas will be back in town again, parading through the streets of Wigan on his sleigh, carried by his reindeer.

The parade will leave Mesnes Field at 1pm and will be followed by a variety of activities taking place in Believe Square and Market Place.

John Sanson, Centre Manager of Grand Arcade Shopping Centre, commented: “The Christmas panel has yet again pulled together another fantastic line-up of festive events in the lead up to Christmas for all of our shoppers to get into the spirit.”

The annual event is sponsored by Stagecoach Bus, and organised by a panel of members of the Grand Arcade, The Galleries Shopping Centre, Wigan Council and Wish FM.