Local ‘Corrie’ star to light up Rochdale

There’s just a week to go until Rochdale girl, Katie McGlynn, will be lighting up Rochdale’s streets at this year’s Christmas lights switch on.

Katie, of Coronation Street and Waterloo Road fame, will be guest of honour at the event which will see performances from local groups and a children’s parade.

Rochdale Town Centre Manager, Debbie Hernon said “We’re really looking forward to this year’s Christmas Switch On, as it will have a light-hearted and real community feel. There will be street performers on Yorkshire Street and we’re bringing back the community stage which was so popular at the Feel Good Festival.

The Children’s Lantern Parade will kick off proceedings at 3.45pm. Children from local schools and groups from across the borough will make their way from the top of Yorkshire Street down to The Butts with their handmade Christmas lanterns, accompanied by some fabulous street theatre.

Visitors can also enjoy street performances from trapeze artists from Skylight Circus before gathering in front of the community stage to be entertained by the Rock Choir and other acts from around the borough. The evening will culminate at approximately 5.15pm when Katie will take to the stage to push the plunger to flood Rochdale’s streets with bright Christmas lights and igniting a fantastic fireworks display.

The annual switch on, which takes place on Saturday 16 November, is the first in a series of fun-filled festive events over the Christmas period.

The ever-popular reindeer parade will take place once again on 1 December. Once Rudolph and his friends pull Santa’s sleigh down Yorkshire Street at 12 noon, visitors will have a chance to meet him and feed the animals on The Butts afterwards.

For those last minute gifts and edible treats, the Christmas market is setting up stall again between 21 and 23 December. When shoppers have spent up, they will be able to enjoy a free ice skating session on The Butts, when they show a receipt for a £5 spend in the town centre during December.