WORCESTER's Christmas lights are set to be switched on tonight.

The city’s mayor Councillor Lucy Hodgson will officially switch on the city centre's lights in the High Street at 5.40pm after a host of entertainment to keep the large crowds enthralled.

Music from Stone the Crows will accompany her procession at 5.20pm before the Mayor's chaplain Reverend David Ryan leads a prayer to signify the start of the Christmas season.

Invited school children will then help the Mayor to switch on the lights.

At 6pm the Crowngate shopping centre will switch its lights on and children will be able to meet the Snowman.

The main lights switch on is being organised by VisitWorcester who are responsible for events, tourism, city centre management.

This evening will see the first of the late shopping nights until 8pm.

VisitWorcester and Worcester City Council are working together to allow free car parking until midnight in the following car parks after 6pm on each of the late night Thursdays until Christmas:

  • Clare Street
  • Commandery Road
  • Cattle Market
  • Croft Road
  • King Street
  • Newport Street
  • Pitchcroft / The Moors
  • St. Martin's Gate
  • Tallow Hill

And from Sunday, shoppers will only need to buy and display a ticket valid for two hours parking in order to stay for the rest of the day free of charge.

The offer will apply for all of the car parks above as well as those in Copenhagen Street, Cornmarket, Providence Street, and Tybridge Street.

VisitWorcester have also purchased new Christmas lights for St John’s which is already proving a popular move among traders as well as new decorations in Charles Street.

Meanwhile, events packed full of entertainment will be put on in Malvern and Droitwich as their lights get switched on over the course of the weekend.

Malvern light’s will be turned on at Belle Vue Island at 6pm on Friday, November 21, while Droitwich’s lights will be turned on in St Andrews Church Garden, near the top of the High Street, at 4.30pm on Saturday, November 22.