WITH just days to go until Colchester is transformed into a twinkling magical wonderland, festive fever is well and truly starting to fill the air.

The Christmas 2022 Big Festive Switch On event will take place on Wednesday officially launching a joyous season of festivities with an evening of entertainment.

It will see dazzling lights flicker into life, illuminating the entire city centre against the backdrop of winter darkness.

In celebration of the hallmark extravaganza, the Lion Walk Shopping Centre and Colchester BID have organised a plethora of events to entertain the masses.

There will also be a Festive Light Parade, featuring top performers, which will make its way through the city before concluding at the scene of the huge switch-on.

Gazette:

Here is a full-list of what is happening and when on the night:

4pm until 4.30pm – Culver Square will turn on their Christmas lights and the Festive Light Parade will start building up with pre-parade entertainment around the Mercury Theatre.

Jumbo will also be lit up with a festive display and an interactive light up Christmas tree.

4.30pm until 4.40pm – Parade leaves Jumbo and heads to the High Street via Church Street before travelling down the High Street.

4.40pm until 6.15pm – Parade passes the likes of Fenwicks and the George Hotel, as the High Street’s festive lights shimmer into action.

The parade will then conclude at Firstsite with pyrotechnics and entertainment.

6.15pm until 7.30pm – Crowds will move on to Lion Walk Shopping Centre for the grand finale of the Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display.

Between 6pm and 9pm there will also be live performances and entertainment from the likes of Cushti, Magic Santa and Frozen’s Elsa, Anna and Olaf.

DJ Darral Wright and Friends, Yazmin Wood, Sax Miss Lee Loo, and Toby Trumpet will also take to the stage.

Gazette:

The evening will also see the launch of the city centre’s new daytime and evening entertainment venue, the ski chalet themed Après Party in the Lion Walk Courtyard.

The bar will be open from 9pm until 11pm, with the opening being commemorated with a performance from acoustic musician Cameron Mackie.

The hallmark event has been organised by Lion Walk Shopping Centre, Colchester Business Improvement District, the Mercury theatre, Firstsite, and many more.

It will coincide with the start of the city’s late-night shopping Wednesdays, which will see many retailers stay open until 9pm.

Martin Leatherdale, centre manager at Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said: “We are so excited to get the festive season started this year.

“Lighting up Colchester will be an incredible occasion and a magical evening. Christmas in Colchester really is back in a big way in 2022.”

Gazette:

Throughout the evening, families and shoppers will also be able to browse a range of festive-themed market stalls.

Sam Good, BID Manager at Our Colchester BID, added: “Christmas is such an important time for our retailers and leisure businesses in the city centre.

“So to bring the people of Colchester together will be a great way to mark the start of the festive season.”

To find out more visit christmasincolchester.co.uk or lionwalkshopping.com.