Barbican Lights Switch-on

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Head to the Barbican this Sunday 25 November from 2pm to 5pm for the annual Christmas Lights Switch on, featuring family-friendly entertainment, free activities and some very special guests.

The entertainment starts at 2pm in the Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican, with lots of free activities for children including Christmas biscuit decorating with CaterED and Christmas balloon modelling.

There will also be a Christmas show from Higher Beings at 3pm, as well as singing and glitter tattoos with Plymouth Party Princesses. Throughout the afternoon, choirs will perform along Southside Street to get the crowds feeling festive.

Watch out from 3pm, as everyone’s favourite festive anti-hero, the Grinch will be roaming the streets – and he’s likely to be looking for trouble.

Turning on the lights this year is Father Christmas himself, who will arrive at Cap’n Jaspers at 4.30pm on the RNLI lifeboat. At 5pm, he’ll be helped by the Lord Mayor to switch on the Barbican’s Christmas Lights from the top of an open-top bus, provided by Citybus, on Southside Street.

Plymouth’s new winter trail, the Polar Bear Explorer, also launches on Sunday 25 November. 20 polar bear cubs have been set loose across the waterfront, each with a bear fact that sends a serious message on how single-use plastics are affecting the oceans and the Arctic habitat. Collect a trail map from the Tourist Information Centre or participating businesses and find all 20 cubs for the opportunity to win big prizes.

We’ll also be lighting St Andrews’ Street and St Andrews’ Church – don’t forget to pay a visit to this historic area as you visit the Waterfront and City Centre this festive season.

Please Note: Southside Street at the junction of Notte Street will be closed between 3pm - 6pm.

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Full schedule

All day Polar Bear Trail – collect trail forms from the Tourist Information Centre

2pm to 5pm Polar bear DVD and Explorer Activity sheets in the Tourist Information Centre

2pm to 5pm Xmas Biscuit decorating with CaterED in the Tourist Information Centre

2pm Xmas balloon making outside the Tourist Information Centre

3pm to 5.45pm The Grinch will be causing havoc around the Barbican

3pm to 5pm Glitter tattoos and singing with the Party Princesses on Southside Street

3pm Christmas show outside the Tourist Information Centre

3.20pm University of Plymouth A Cappella Society performing on Southside Street

3.40pm Mayflower A Cappella Chorus performing on Southside Street

3.40pm The Sound Council performing on Southside Street

4pm – 5.45pm Elf Stiltwalkers

4pm Mary of the Cross singing carols on Southside Street

4.30pm Santa arrives on the RNLI Lifeboat

5pm Santa & the Lord Mayor to switch on the Southside Street Xmas lights from Citybus open top bus on Southside Street

5.45pm Finish