York’s biggest ever Christmas got underway on Thursday night as hundreds of people gathered to watch the festive lights go on.
The Lord Mayor Sonja Crisp, and Theatre Royal panto stars Martin Barrass and Suzy Cooper, led the countdown in St Helen’s Square before flicking the switch.
Elsewhere people flocked round the record number of food and gift St Nicholas Fair stalls in their all-new wooden chalets. Running the length of Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, they provided plenty of colour and flavour.
Brass bands and a choir from the PQA York academy entertained late-night shoppers with carols and festive songs.
And in a separate ceremony the lights were switched on in Coppergate.
Let the festivities (and the shopping) begin…
