THOUSANDS of people attended the switch-on of Andover's Christmas lights on Friday, November 17, with the Mayor of Andover and Santa lighting up the festive decorations.
A Christmas festival took place across the town centre with plenty of activities for all the family across different stages and a variety of independent businesses joining in.
A line-up of music acts performed a collection of Christmas songs and dances on a stage by the Guildhall, with acts including choirs from Vigo, Anton and Pilgrim’s Cross schools, Andover Youth Dance Company, RAPSO Steel Band and headliner Nokando entertaining the crowds.
At 6pm, the Christmas lights were switched on by the Mayor of Andover, Cllr Robin Hughes, with help from Father Christmas. Young and old counted down from 10 before the big red buzzer was pressed, lighting up the festive decorations and the town’s Christmas tree.
Andover BID manager, Shelley Coburn, said: "We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience of this event and having worked really closely with the events team at TVBC and ATC for some time on this, we wanted to further expand on last year’s format and encompass a town-wide festival feel to this event."
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