Last night (Thursday 18th November), Brilliant Brighton’s Christmas lights – a gift to the city centre from 517 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses (and supported by HSBC UK) were switched-on; to welcome in the festive period!
The free community switch-on event was in partnership with BBC Radio Sussex and featured toe-tapping Christmas tunes from vintage-inspired swing group Hit the Silk, the angelic voices of The Theatre Workshop’s choir, and Tell Me After, an exciting young band from Greater Brighton Metropolitan College. Go!Go!Go! band member, and Mr Move It himself, Carl Tracey joined fellow Aladdin pantomime cast member and BBC Radio Sussex’s Allison Ferns to do the all-important countdown and switch the lights on, and welcome in Christmas to the city centre. A raffle for Chestnut Tree House, including an array of raffle prizes from Brilliant Brighton businesses, also raised funds for the children’s hospice.
The switch-on event not only celebrates the start of the festive period, but also a brand new Christmas lights scheme, featuring artwork designed by Brighton street artists, including Bintley, Mowgli and Sinna One.
The street art-inspired lights light up North Street and Western Road, while lights celebrating the uniqueness of North Laine sparkle in Bond Street, Gardner Street and Kensington Gardens; and more traditional lighting adds a magical, festive feeling to The Lanes, East Street, Preston Street and Brighton’s iconic Clock Tower.
Gavin Stewart, CEO of Brilliant Brighton said: “It has been so wonderful to be able to host a switch-on event again, and spread a little festive cheer! We hope that residents and visitors alike enjoy the Christmas lights, which are a gift to the city centre from our 517 businesses! It’s exciting to also celebrate the talents of some of the city’s best street artists and see their artwork up in lights.”
Read more about the street artists whose work feature in the Brilliant Brighton Christmas lights here: https://www.brilliantbrighton.com/christmas-lights-2021/.
