Details of this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-on event in Hartlepool have been announced and students from The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree course have star billing in the programme.

The FREE event on Friday 29^th November from 5pm to 7pm takes place in Church Square and is organised by Hartlepool Borough Council and Creative Hartlepool with sponsorship from headline sponsor X-energy alongside support from the School.

A fun-packed evening for all the family will see Hartlepool get the festive season well and truly underway.

* A striking feature of the evening will be a stunning display of illustration and animation celebrating Hartlepool which will be projected onto Hartlepool Art Gallery. This large-scale artwork has been created by students from the BA Honours Illustration for Commercial Application programme at the Northern School of Art.

* Head to Hartlepool Art Gallery for free craft-making and face-painting. Children can join BloomIn Arts to decorate their own willow stars and lanterns and Cheryl’s Face Painting will be offering designs inspired by  favourite Christmas characters.

* Don’t miss the Rockin’ Robins – Reggie and Ruby Robin and their newborn chick plus an egg to hatch, on the quest for a nest! They break into a boogie wherever they go, jiving along to the greatest seasonal music and spreading Christmas cheer wherever they go.

* Sing along to carols and other festive tunes performed by local choirs of all ages including Hartlepool Children’s Choir, Blue Rose Community Choir and Miss Toni’s  Academy of Singing and Performing Arts Choir.

* Meet the stars of this year’s Hartlepool Christmas pantomime – Aladdin and the Hartlepool Monkey – which is coming to Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre from 11 to 29 December.

* Tuck into some delicious yuletide treats. Florentine Coffee will be in Church Square with their hot drink winter warmers including luxury hot chocolate and there will also be sweet treats and drinks in the Hartlepool Art Gallery café.

* Neighbouring bar O’Malley’s will also be open during the event, offering all the traditional festive tipples, and to add to the magic of the evening they’ll be hosting young up-and-coming singer Honey Pidd. The Hartlepool Stage Society member and former High Tunstall College of Science student will delight you with a fantastic range of songs.

* Joining the fun will be Shakk from BBC Tees, who will be compering the event.

The excitement will build to 6.45pm when the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on by the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool Councillor Carole Thompson. The event will draw to a close at 7pm with carols from Blue Rose Community Choir.

Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Economic Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: “Nowhere does Christmas quite like Hartlepool – our festive spirit is second-to-none, so join us for what’s sure to be a wonderful event for all the family as we light up the town.

“When so many residents are facing cost-of-living challenges, we are very proud to be providing this free event again this year for everyone to enjoy.

“A very big ‘thank you’ to our headline sponsor X-energy and to The Northern School of Art and its students, whose amazing creative talents will be adding special magic to the event.”

Leon Flexman, X-energy’s Corporate Affairs Director (UK), said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Hartlepool Christmas Lights Switch-on again this year.

“It was a magical event last year and it was great to see the community gathering and having so much fun and we look forward to seeing everyone again this year.”

Matt Burton, Senior Lecturer for the Illustration Undergraduate Programme at The Northern School of Art, said: “We are really pleased to be involved in the Christmas Lights Switch-on again this year.

“Partnering on projects like this gives our students the opportunity to showcase their skills and a platform for their creative career, and by combining illustration with digital project mapping skills they’ll be adding a dazzling display of artwork to the evening.”

Check out our BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application Degree here