Rastamouse to switch on Oldham’s Christmas Lights
Rastamouse.
TV star Rastamouse is the special guest at Oldham’s Christmas Lights Switch-On tomorrow.
The family-favourite event is again going to be a colourful spectacular with a fantastic fireworks display.
The big countdown is heralded by a spectacular stage show, packed with Christmas characters.
This year has been Oldham’s year of ‘Celebration’ and the theme is continued in the show through the music and entertainment. Among the guests will be Nicola White, who was part of the women’s hockey team that won Bronze at London 2012.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On Prize-Draw also takes place during the show.
This year, the Oldham Coliseum Theatre is giving three lucky visitors the chance to win a family ticket for its pantomime Cinderella. The winners will be drawn on the night.
Entry forms can be found within the Christmas Events Guide, which is available at www.visitoldham.com 
Children’s favourite Rastamouse will then join the Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Olwen Chadderton, on stage to press the button and switch on the Christmas lights in a blaze of colour – a huge fireworks display will then light-up the night sky above the Town Centre.
Councillor Shoab Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and the Town Centre and Chair of the Town Centre Business Partnership, said: “The Christmas Lights Switch-On is one of Oldham’s biggest nights in the year.
“It promises to delight again this year with the hugely popular Rastamouse as well as a great fireworks display.”
The stage show starts at 4.45pm and lasts around an hour. The fireworks display starts at around 5.30pm. The stage is situated next to the War Memorial. The best viewing areas are in front of the Old Town Hall and on Clegg Street.
There is also going to be a raised viewing area for wheelchair users at the top of the Old Town Hall steps, accessed by a ramp from Clegg Street. But visitors should be aware that numbers will be limited in this area.
In the afternoon, children should look out for Rastamouse going for a surprise walk-about in the Town Centre.
Christmas characters will also be around from 12.45pm to 3.45pm, handing-out free hats, balloons and sweets to children.
After the Switch-On, the Christmas lights are illuminated daily from 3pm. The Town Centre’s nativity scene can also be found on Albion Street.
On Sunday, there’s free parking all-day in Hobson Street Car Park. There’s also free parking for four hours in the Spindles and Town Square Car Parks. All three car parks will remain open until 7pm.
Oldham’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is organised by the Oldham Town Centre Business Partnership.
Mark Carson, Store Manager of Debenhams Oldham and Member of the Town Centre Business Partnership, said: “Debenhams Oldham is as pleased as ever to be involved with the Town Centre Christmas campaign this year.
“The activities planned over the festive period in Oldham are something I know a lot of our customers and staff look forward to. In my view, these activities, along with the sense of festive spirit they bring, are one of the towns key selling points.’
“The Switch-On provides the perfect end to a day of Christmas shopping in our vibrant Town Centre.”
Oldham’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is the second in a programme of Christmas events taking place in Oldham Town Centre. The next event is the Fairytale Christmas Weekend on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 December.
Information about all of the events can be found at www.visitoldham.com
Author: Jude Gidney - Editor
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