The annual lights turn on will occur on Thursday 7th November, with Sam Fender pushing the button to illuminate over 230,000 individual lights at 6:30pm. The event itself, hosted by Metro Radio's Steve and Karen, will start at 5:30pm.
There will also be a performance from Johnny 'Blue Hat' Davis, Fender's saxophonist, and entertainment in the form of Christmas sing-alongs, appearances from Moodbay and Khalysis, and a festive panto production from the cast of Aladdin at the Tyne Theatre.
Fender's rise to the top of the charts has been astonishingly fast
Having only released his debut EP, Dead Boys, a year ago, Fender's rise to the top of the charts has been astonishingly fast. His debut album went straight to number one in the charts in September, and he won the Critic's Choice BRIT Award in February. Fender will next be seen in Newcastle when he plays a gig here in April 2020.
The Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture, Ged Bell, said 'This Christmas in Newcastle is set to be the biggest ever, and the lights switch on is the best place to be to start the Christmas countdown'. David Cook, Lord Mayor of Newcastle, remarked that 'the annual Christmas lights switch on in Newcastle is known to many as the official start of the festive season in the city, and it always provides a night of great fun for people of all ages, and this year will be no different.'