Manx Telecom to sponsor Christmas lights switch-on for second year

Christmas 'officially' begins Nov 21

Manx Telecom is, once again, helping bring festive spirit to the streets of Douglas by sponsoring this year's Christmas lights switch-on.

The event is organised by Douglas Borough Council and traditionally signals the 'official' start of Christmas, which, this year, will be Thursday 21 November.

It's free to watch and will be staged on the North Quay by the Little Fish Cafe, with Santa setting up his grotto adjacent to St Matthew's Church.

Douglas Town Band will get things started at 6:15pm, followed by a performance from the cast of the Gaiety Theatre's pantomime Peter Pan at 6:30pm, all topped off by the Platform Theatre School Vocal Ensemble, who'll perform a medley of Christmas songs.

Mayor of Douglas, Jon Joughin, will switch on the Christmas lights at 7pm, when snow will fall and late-night shopping will begin.