Brit Award winner Sam Fender set to switch on Newcastle Christmas Lights

Metro Radio’s Steve and Karen will once again host the evening of family fun, and this year they will be joined by Brit Award winning musician Sam Fender for the occasion.

The Geordie singer, whose debut album hit number one in the charts, is returning to his home town to take part in the big switch on.

Several other special guests will join Sam for the evening including The Lord Mayor of Newcastle and Cllr Ged Bell, cabinet member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council.

The event will also feature a special performance from Sam’s saxophonist, Johnny ‘Blue Hat’ Davis as well as entertainment from Moodbay and Khalysis and a special festive onstage panto performance from the cast of Aladdin at the Tyne Theatre.

The free event, hosted by Metro Radio, will take place on Thursday 7 November starting at 5.30pm, with the lights being switched on at approximately 6.30pm.

Over 230,000 individual lights will be illuminated in the city centre as the audience of around 5,000 enjoy family fun entertainment including Christmas sing-alongs, onstage competitions and lots of dancing.

Cllr David Cook, Lord Mayor of Newcastle said: “The annual Christmas lights switch on in Newcastle is known to many as the official start of the festive season in the city and it always provides a night of great fun for people of all ages, and this year will be no different.

“The lights create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the residents and visitors who come into the city centre over the festive period to enjoy everything Newcastle has to offer at Christmas.”

Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture said: “This Christmas in Newcastle is set to be the biggest ever, and the lights switch on is the best place to be to start the Christmas countdown.

“I’m delighted that Sam Fender will be returning home to do the honours this year. What a great way of helping him celebrate the amazing twelve months he has had.

“The heart of our city centre provides a perfect festive hub and this evening will give us the first glimpse of the amazing Christmas events to come

We will also be welcoming JD Sports as the commercial partner for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on.

The switch on is always a popular event so we advise those traveling to use public transport such as the Metro or the bus when heading into the city centre. 

You can follow Newcastle City Council on Facebook at @newcastlecitycouncil, on Twitter at @Newcastlecc and on Instagram at @lovenewcastle. Look out for the #NewcastleChristmasLights hashtag.