Nottingham Christmas lights switch-on: Watch live tonight on Notts TV’s 6:30 show

The Nottingham Christmas light switch-on is tonight and Notts TV will be broadcasting live from Old Market Square on the 6:30 show for those who can’t make it.

Nottingham will celebrate the start of the festive season with entertainment which will kick off at 5:30pm in Old Market Square, with the big switch-on happening at 6:31pm.

A brass band will play Christmas classics at a stage close to the Brian Clough statue and presenters Dino and Pete from Capital FM will be getting the crowds into the festive spirit.

Switching on the Nottingham Christmas lights is a huge honour

Gold medal-winning Paralympians Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw will switch on the lights.

Charlotte Henshaw said: “We can’t wait to go out into Nottingham and share our success in Rio with everyone, it will be a great night.”

Charlotte secured a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 100m breast-stroke at the Rio games, and Ollie won a gold medal in the 400m freestyle, setting a new world record.

Ollie said: “We’re truly proud to be from such a great sporting county and city, so switching on the Nottingham Christmas lights is a huge honour.”

Joining them will be the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Mohammed Saghir, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Jackie Morris, and Nottingham’s award-winning Robin Hood, Tim Pollard.

Councillor Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Nottingham City Council said: “Charlotte and Olly are fantastic role models and Nottingham is incredibly proud of them.

“I know the whole city will join me in welcoming the opportunity to congratulate them for their amazing achievements.”

During the switch-on event a one-way system and controlled zone for pedestrians will be in operation.

People who normally walk through the Old Market Square after work will need to walk around the square, not through, via Beastmarket Hill (outside Burton/The Bank) or via High Street (outside Zara/Pret a Manger).

Pedestrians will only be able to enter the Winter Wonderland through one entrance gate on Long Row (Debenhams end).

Stewards will manage the number of people who are inside the Winter Wonderland – once the capacity is reached, no more people will be admitted to the Winter Wonderland area.

Stewards will also control the area around the Brian Clough statue, shutting off access into the area once it is full.

Once these areas are full, crowds are asked to stand in the recommended viewing areas along South Parade, Beastmarket Hill and at the back of the fountains.

Trams will run as normal before and after the event, but due to the high numbers of people expected, police have advised that tram services through Old Market Square should be halted for an hour from 6pm whilst the lights switch-on takes place.

During this time, trams from Hucknall and Phoenix Park will turn at Royal Centre, and trams from Clifton and Toton Lane will turn at Nottingham Station.

NCT will accept tram tickets on their city loop and 48 bus services to help customers complete cross-city journeys until trams are able to run through Old Market Square again at approximately 7pm.

NET’s head of marketing Jamie Swift said: “The Christmas Lights Switch-On is always a very popular event, and with thousands of people expected to gather in the Old Market Square the police have requested that we alter our services for a short time to ensure the event can go ahead as safely as possible.”

The NET Winter Wonderland opened on Saturday, November 19 and will run until Sunday, January 8.