X Factor star set to ‘Grace’ Blackburn’s Christmas lights switch-on

Saturday 24 November, King William Street, 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Blackburn’s Christmas lights will be switched on this year by the town’s very own singing sensation, Grace Davies.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council in partnership with Blackburn BID and The Mall have organised this year’s jam-packed festive programme, with Grace set to take centre stage.

The 21-year-old songstress first won local hearts when she made it to the X Factor finals last year.

Since then the singing sensation has signed-up to Simon Cowell’s record label, SYCO Music, and has gone on to gain fans worldwide with her original songs and rich, smoky tone.

She’s currently penning her new album in between recording sessions and shows but has managed to take a little time out from her busy schedule to perform live in her home town next Saturday.

The free event hosted by Rock FM’s Steve and Janine kicks off on King William Street on Saturday (24 November) at 4.30pm.

Live music and performances are set to keep the whole family entertained until  6.30pm when the Christmas lights will be switch on, accompanied by a festive fireworks display to mark the official start of this year’s festive celebrations.

Blackburn’s BIG Christmas brings a whole host of other festive events to Blackburn town centre this year, including a four week long traditional German style Christmas Market on Cathedral Square which is open 7 days a week from Thursday 29 November.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said:

We are really pleased that Grace is coming back to her ‘roots’ to perform here in Blackburn again. She wowed the crowds when she came last year for the Xfactor performance in the Cathedral Square and this promises to be a great start to the festive season for all of our residents, visitors and traders.

Cllr Riley added:

The whole Christmas programme this year has been organised so we offer something different and unique for families and visitors to enjoy every weekend in the run-up to Christmas. We hope people enjoy and take advantage of the many free events we have lined-up.

Grace will also be in The Mall for a meet and greet with fans from 4pm, before she goes on stage.

Shops in The Mall, Blackburn will stay open until 7pm for the switch-on to mark the beginning of late night shopping until 8pm every Thursday in the lead up to Christmas.

Loraine Jones, General Manager of The Mall Blackburn, said:

This year’s Christmas lights switch-on promises to be a cracker. We are really excited to have Grace coming into the Mall to meet fans before the big performance and hope that with all festivities planned for the Christmas season visitors will see Blackburn in a whole new light.

The Blackburn Christmas Parade with magical princes and princesses, mischievous elves and giant stilt walkers will add some Christmas sparkle around The Mall, Market and Cathedral Square on Saturday 1 December.

Blackburn Santa Dash will see hundreds of Santa’s running around the town centre in aid of North West Air Ambulance on Sunday 9 December.

Blackburn’s annual Festival of Light will return on Saturday 15 December; bigger and better than ever created by hundreds of handmade lanterns, lights, fire and illuminations paraded through the town from 4.30pm.

Nicola Clayton, Chair of Blackburn Business Improvement District (BID) said:

The Lights Switch on looks set to be an exciting day for visitors to Blackburn and is the start of a packed programme of Christmas fun.

There will be the new Christmas Market in Cathedral Square as well as parades, choirs, dashing Santas, the Festival of Light and King George’s Hall presenting Sleeping Beauty the Pantomime. Blackburn’s got it all this Christmas.

For full details of this year’s bumper festive events programme, visit www. Blackburnchristmas.com or pick up a calendar at Blackburn Visitor Centre.