Penarth 'Christmas Lights Switch On' event this year

This popular event on the Penarth calendar will be taking place in Penarth Town Centre, Windsor Road from 3pm until 7pm. 

The lights will be switched on by Father Christmas himself (who has taken time out of his busy schedule) with Penarth Town Mayor Cllr Gwenda Roberts. 

A packed stage of entertainment is planned, hosted by TV’s Laura Jane Jones and featuring Christmas favourites from the Tenovus Choir, Jools Jofrin Band, Monico, and Sophie Evans. 

In the town centre, there will be plenty of free activities for the family, with entertainment from Kitsch N Sync Winter wonderland skiers, festive crafts with Eggseeds and wonders from Pedal Emporium. Fairground rides and games complete the Christmas carnival. 

Last year's event was nearly cancelled due to 50mph winds

The Christmas light switch-on extravaganza last year was a big success despite fears it would have to be cancelled. 

This time last year, Penarth was preparing for the major public event, when residents woke up to gusts of up to 50mph.

The children on the main stage (Image: Newsquest) In the ‘show must go on’ spirit, the acrobats, street performers and stage riggers persevered despite the bad weather. 

Local families turned up in their warm coats, scarves and bobble hats to enjoy all the festivities.

There was great family fun, here with the Warren-Eley family (Image: Newsquest) The event was more than a simple turning on the light switch, Windsor Road was closed off for hours hosting lots of activities. 

Earlier that day, hours before the big event, The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama held a special concert at Penarth Pier as part of the Little Live Project. 

Last year's Christmas light switch-on extravaganza

In pictures captured from the day, the mayor and santa can be seen with the Kennedy family.

The mayor and Santa opened the event, here with the Kennedy family (Image: Newsquest) However, it wasn’t the only guest from the North Pole with reindeer also turning up for the extravaganza.

Along with Santa, there were reindeer! (Image: Newsquest) The rides included classic teacups, street games, trampolines and a makeshift nativity stage.

The event began at 3pm on Windsor Road (Image: Newsquest) The lights themselves were turned on by BBC’s Owain Wyn Evans with a drum roll to build anticipation.

BBC weather presenter Owain Wyn Evans provided a drum roll to turn on the lights (Image: Newsquest) After the official light switch-on, a Michael Bublé impersonator James Williams serenaded Penarth with jazz numbers. 

There was an acrobatic display on the street (Image: Newsquest) A crowd of residents gathered to watch an acrobat performance on the street in front of Brød the Danish bakery.