Thousands of spectators gathered to watch the annual event organised by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in partnership with the City Centre Partnership and supported by Signal 1.
Stoke City Football Club boss Tony Pulis, local Olympic gold-medal-winning legend Imran Sherwani and Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Crowe, took to the stage in Fountain Square for the countdown.
They were joined by Santa Claus, Britain’s Got Talent boy band, Loveable Rogues, five-piece indie-rock band Six Towns and singer Molly Munroe.
The community event also offered people the chance to meet Santa and two real reindeers at the Victoria Hall earlier in the day.
Lord Mayor Terry Crowe said: “Stoke-on-Trent is a fantastic place and the people who turned up to the Christmas lights event show what this city is all about.”
Tony Pulis said: “It’s fabulous to be here turning Stoke-on-Trent’s Christmas lights on, I have never
done anything like this before.
“I felt sorry for the families getting drenched because the weather was so bad but hopefully turning the lights on warmed
everyone up a bit.”
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