Organisers of City Centre Christmas lights switch-on are hoping for a bumper crowd of around 8,000 people on the night.
The finishing touches are being made to the star-studded celebrity event, which takes place on Thursday, November 22.
The event is organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in partnership with the City Centre Partnership and supported by Signal 1.
The lights will be switched on by Stoke City Football Club boss Tony Pulis and local Olympic gold-medal-winning legend Imran Sherwani at 6.45pm in Fountain Square, along with Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor councillor Terry Crowe, Santa Claus and Britain’s Got Talent boy band, Loveable Rogues.
But before then, a range of fun activities are planned in the City Centre to keep the whole family occupied.
Between 1pm and 5pm, children will have the chance to meet Santa and two real reindeers at the Victoria Hall.
Santa will also be showing off his dance moves in and around the City Centre at 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Then from 5pm, Perry and Louise from Signal 1’s Breakfast Show will start the countdown to the big switch-on in Fountain Square.
There will be live performances from Loveable Rogues, five-piece indie-rock band Six Towns and pop singer Anttix.
For Six Towns, the lights switch-on will also coincide with the day they find out if they are being crowned winner of the MTV Brand New Unsigned For 2013 contest.
The Potteries band are among 20 musicians hoping to gain enough votes to win the national competition.
Bass player Matt Litherland, of Burslem, said: “As a band, this will be the biggest audience we have ever played in front of and we can’t wait to get on the stage and perform, especially with it being a home crowd.”
Last year, despite a vastly reduced budget, there were bigger crowds than ever before and people are advised to come early if they want a good spot in the crowd.
Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for Economic Development, Culture and Sport, said: “Last year the Christmas lights switch-on in the City Centre attracted 8,000 people and we are hoping for similar crowds this year.
“The event also launches late night shopping in the City Centre and we’re really pleased to be working with the City Centre Partnership to deliver such a great entertainment event.”
Lord Mayor Terry Crowe said: “I’m delighted to be involved with turning on the Christmas lights.
“It’s a great honour to get to do this in my hometown and I’m looking forward to seeing lots of people out supporting the event.”
Highlights of Tony Pulis and Imran Sherwani taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay will also be shown to the crowd during the event.
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For all media enquiries please contact Adam Blakeman at the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782
232987.
www.stoke.gov.uk/news