ONE of the biggest events in the Altrincham's calendar, the annual Christmas lights switch-on, takes place on Saturday, November 18 in the Stamford Quarter.

The early afternoon will see community acts take to the stage with festive music, carols and dance from 1.00pm-3.30pm.

Groups will include Onyx Dance Academy, Simply Voices, Wellington School Choir, Magic Voices, Broomwood School and the Music Place Choir.

The afternoon entertainment will be presented by two students from Wellington School, Jordan Roberts and Lottie Warburton, who will be rewarded for their contribution with a donation from event organisers Altrincham Unlimited to Wellington School’s 80th anniversary charity fundraising.

Saturday will also see the first of four ‘pop-up Santa’s Grottos’ in the town centre – beginning at Rackhams from 12-4pm (no charge - donations welcome to Altrincham Rotary), then at Wilko on November 25, Goose Green on December 2 and Kings Court on December 9.

Throughout the afternoon visitors to Altrincham will also have the chance to win a whopping £500 to spend in town centre stores – entries should be registered between 11am and 4pm with the Key 103 Street Team with the winner announced on the night.

From 4.30pm the Key 103 Breakfast Team of Mike Toolan and Matt Haslam, alongside Coronation Street’s Brooke Vincent, will host an hour-long show of family fun and entertainment. The line-up will include CBeebies’ Mr Bloom, up-and-coming Manchester boy band Yes Lad, singer Christian Smith and Altrincham’s Little Belters choir, plus some familiar faces to help with the big switch-on.

For more details of events in Altrincham throughout the Christmas season plus visitor information including parking locations and prices go to www.altrinchamunlimited.co.uk

Linda Roy, communications manager for Altrincham Unlimited said: “Everyone loves Christmas lights switch-on day in Altrincham. There’s always a brilliant buzz in the air and the feeling that the festive season has well and truly arrived.

“We’re delighted to have so many fantastic community groups – as well as Wellington School - joining us during the afternoon, and with Key 103 in charge of the evening show it promises to be a fabulous day from start to finish.

“We expect Altrincham to be busy, so we would advise visitors to make full use of public transport where they can, and to arrive nice and early to get a good spot for the main switch-on show.”