Borough’s virtual Christmas lights celebration

Date published: 25 November 2020

A virtual Christmas lights switch-on event is being broadcast by Rochdale Council on Sunday (29 November).

All the borough’s switch-on events had to be cancelled due to coronavirus so the council is going to stream an online version for the very first time, marking the start of the festive season.

Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, will host the virtual event from the mayor’s parlour at the town hall, with a guest appearance from Father Christmas himself and a special synchronised ‘from home’ performance by Rochdale Music Service.

You will also be able to see the illuminated displays, cribs and Christmas trees twinkling right across the borough.

The virtual switch-on event will be free to watch on the Rochdale Borough Council Youtube channel (RochdaleBC) and Facebook page at 6pm on Sunday 29 November.

The council is also inviting families, residents and communities across the borough to submit video clips or images of their Christmas light displays and preparations at home so they can feature in a festive montage that will be released in December. Whether you’re dressing and lighting your tree at home, having fairy lights or lanterns in your doorway, garden or windows, email your photo or video to events@rochdale.gov.uk by Sunday 6 December or tweet @RochdaleCouncil using the hashtag #LightUpRochdale

Then following the virtual switch-on, later in December the council will release another video showing residents preparing for Christmas at home along with a seasonal reflection of 2020 featuring members of Rochdale’s M6 Theatre Company.

Councillor Sheerin said he hopes everyone will watch the virtual switch-on celebration and then get involved by submitting their own clips and photos: “We really look forward to seeing all the videos and images submitted and are excited to see the finished result which hopefully will bring much needed Christmas cheer. After such a tough time it’s important we come together and being able to see how people across the borough are getting ready for Christmas is hopefully a way to remind us all we’re still connected and better times are ahead.”

The mayor is also asking everyone to ring a bell for Santa at 6pm on Christmas Eve. Along the same lines as summers ‘clap for carers’ the idea is to step outside your front door and ring a bell for two minutes to spread Christmas spirit and for children to thank Father Christmas as he sets off on his epic journey around the world.

“Despite the pandemic, Father Christmas is a keyworker and his elves have managed to come out of furlough, so after the year we’ve had it would be lovely for our community and create wonderful memories for children. I hope we can end 2020 with hope, optimism and togetherness,” the mayor added.

Watch the virtual switch on event at 6pm on Sunday 29 November www.youtube.com/user/rochdalebc