Belfast City Council has confirmed that there will be no official Christmas light switch-on this year.
Instead, 'Christmas in Belfast' will get underway with an evening of seasonal celebrations on Saturday, November 19 - marking the start of the council's ongoing festive programme.
The event will coincide with the opening of the Belfast Christmas Market at City Hall.
Read more: Belfast Christmas Market 2022 dates, opening times and vendors revealed
Christmas in Belfast opening night will see the city centre will come alive with a sense of wonder and imagination as we sprinkle some Christmas spirit.
The activities will take place in Donegall Place, Royal Avenue and a selection of adjoining streets.
From 6pm until 9pm, events include:
- A dazzling ‘Merry, Bright and White’ Christmas procession (approximately 30 mins) departing from the old Bank of Ireland Building at 6pm
- Live window animation in the windows of Marks and Spencer and Boots on Donegall Place (A Belfast Christmas Carol, The Naughty Elf, plus performances from the Swingtime Scarlets)
- Costumed stilt walkers, jugglers and magicians
- Roaming festive characters
- An eclectic mix of festive music from brass bands, choirs, buskers and ukulele acts
- A raised platform showcasing live Belfast Music performances outside 2 Royal Avenue
- Light animations at 2 Royal Avenue, Fountain House, Donegall Place, Arthur Square and the old Bank of Ireland building
For information on the Christmas procession route and road closures for the event, keep up-to-date on the Belfast City Council website here.
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