Details have been announced for the switching on of Worcester’s Christmas lights.

The annual event takes place on Saturday, November 25 and kicks off the city’s Christmas celebrations.

At 4pm a starlight lantern parade will make its way from The Hive to Cathedral Square, where the light switch-on will take place.  

The parade will be led by volunteers and puppeteers, taking invitees on a route that will light the streets and show off the volunteers’ lantern creations to the public lining the route in Broad Street and High Street.

For added festive splendour, the parade will include four lanterns produced by local artist Catt Standen, themed on the famous ballet The Nutcracker.

These six-foot lanterns have been funded by Worcester BID and depict the magical Mouse King, the sweet Sugar Plum Fairy, a towering Toy Soldier and the Nutcracker story book.  

 In Cathedral Square, BBC Hereford and Worcester presenters will host live music performances running 4pm to 7pm from Poppy WS, Mike Skilbeck, the i-Sing Choir and Jake of Diamonds, as well as appearances from the cast of the Swan Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime on the main stage. 

Worcester’s two biggest Christmas trees are now in place, all ready to be lit up on November 25.

The tree at the Cathedral island is 30 feet high, while the one at New Road island is 36 feet tall.

The mayor of Worcester, Louis Stephen, said: “Christmas in Worcester is always a magical time with so much going on.

“I’m very much looking forward to the festive season and joining in as many of the Christmas events as possible.”

Large crowds filled Cathedral Square for last year’s lights switch-on.

Bromsgrove band Split Second were among the musical acts to perform, while the Doorstep Princesses, as Frozen’s Anna and Elsa, kept children entertained in the build-up to the main moment.

There was also an appearance by the cast of the Swan Theatre’s pantomime Cinderella.