The festive season has officially arrived in Dorset as towns switch-on their Christmas lights.
The atmosphere was ‘electric’ in both Weymouth and Brewery Square in Dorchester as the Christmas lights were officially switched on – marking a beginning to the holiday season.
New Bond Street, Weymouth was the setting of a huge Christmas party ahead of the big light-up with the cast of Weymouth Pantomime providing plenty of entertainment.
Next it was down to a little girl called Sophie to press the big red button that would illuminate Weymouth.
Sophie was joined on stage by the Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell and Jamie Ridings who is playing Mrs Smee in this year’s Christmas panto – Peter Pan.
Cllr Orrell said: “It is great to see so many people having fun.”
As the lights turned on, there were plenty of oohs and aahs from the massive crowd that watched on in awe, and then Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You rang out over the speakers which encouraged a lot of dancing.
Toby, Freddie and Jessie were enjoying a bit of a boogie. They were joined by parents who described the experience as ‘lovely,’ explaining that they will usually attend the celebration every year and decided to once more because they had just been to the cinema.
The Christmas light switch-on followed a whole day of Christmas themed events for Weymouth which all kicked off with a big elf parade through the streets.
Massive crowds trailed down New Bond Street dressed in their best elf attire.
There were also elf workshops, as well as live music, stilt walking and other entertainment.
The evening was rounded off with a live set from Weymouth’s very own Leggomen.
Over in Brewery Square there was plenty of excitement with stilt-walking balloon artists, a Christmas market, live music, a skating ring, Santa’s Grotto and of course – the big light switch on.
The event was supposed to take place on Saturday, November 23, but had to be postponed due to Storm Bert.
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