Christmas colouring competition winner, 8, ready to help light up Dartford for Christmas

Dartford’s Big Christmas Switch On is all set to go on Saturday 16^th November after selecting the winner of its Christmas colouring competition.

After pouring through the wonderful entries from schools across Dartford, Sia Buist, 8, was selected as this year’s lucky winner, and will be helping to light up the town for Christmas. Helping with the big switch-on at 5:15pm will be some of Orchard West’s sparkling pantomime stars, along with The Worshipful the Mayor of Dartford Cllr Andy Lloyd and of course, Father Christmas.

Visitors will have plenty to see this year, with our very own panto star Sydnie Christmas stopping by to treat us to an unforgettable performance, along with local stars Tilly Pantlin and Jason Allen, plus Freddie Mercury and Taylor Swift tribute acts, all armed with some show-stopping classics to get everyone singing along.

The entertainment begins from 10am with a colourful array of talented street performers courtesy of event partners Cohesion Plus performing in the High Street, at the Orchards Shopping Centre and at the Priory Shopping Centre. Face painters, musicians, balloon artists and magicians will all be performing and entertaining crowds.

The Orchard West’s ukulele group will also be performing in the shopping centres and on stage in Brewery Square, plus we have the brilliant Signing Choir, and the theatre’s very own choir too to help get everyone into the festive spirit.

Performances start on stage from around 2:00pm. The full programme for the day is as follows:

• 2pm – David Ribi
• 2.15pm – Orchard West Theatre Choir
• 2.35pm – Ukulele Group
• 2.55pm – Signing Choir
• 3.15pm – Jason Allen
• 3.35pm – Tilly Pantlin
• 4.00pm – Sydnie Christmas
• 4.25pm – Taylor Swift Tribute
• 4.55pm – Gary Goodmaze
• 5.10pm – The Worshipful The Mayor of Dartford
• 5.15pm – The Big Christmas Lights Switch On

We would like to thank the following organisations who have generously supported this year’s Big Christmas Switch On: Dartford Borough Council – Orchards Shopping Centre – The Priory Shopping Centre – Orchard West – Aldi – Fairfield – Dartford Markets – Dartford Messenger – Cohesion Plus.

The Big Christmas Switch On kicks off Dartford Borough Council’s festive calendar. Details about Santa’s House (23^rd, 24^th & 30^th November and 1^st, 7^th, 8^th December), Santa’s Tour (1^st, 4^th, 8^th, 15^th, 17^th, 22^nd December) and other great events can be found via www.dartford.gov.uk/events.