Best spots for the Christmas lights switch-on

The Christmas lights switch-on is one of the bigger dates in Plymouth's festive calendar, and if you're planning to be there, it's worth knowing how the evening is actually laid out. The main event takes place at The Piazza and Armada Way in the city centre, with the biggest display on the Corn Exchange and the surrounding area, and it's free to attend, so there's no ticket to sort in advance. The countdown starts at 18:25, and the lights go on sometime between 18:25 and 18:35, so that's the window to be in position.

Who's doing the honours is a good part of the draw. The switch-on is led by the cast of Scrooge! The Musical from Plymouth Theatre Company, the Lord Mayor of Plymouth Kathy Watkin, Mrs Doubtfire from Theatre Royal Plymouth, Santa, and a few special guests. If you're bringing children, the entertainment runs well ahead of the lights coming on: the Piazza stage hosts singers, street dance groups and theatre troupes from 16:00 right through to 19:45, with a line-up that includes Lipson Cooperative Academy, Boringdon Primary School, Razzamataz, Stage Stars, Plym Kids, Plymouth Performing Arts Academy and Land of the Giants. Over in Old Town Square, the St Andrews Choir performs until 18:45, and The Sound take the main stage from 18:40 to 19:45.

A few practical things are worth knowing before you head down. There's an accessible viewing platform on the Piazza, next to House of Fraser, if you need a raised vantage point, and public toilets are at the Armada Way sundial, with three disabled toilets and baby changing facilities for 60p. The evening also kicks off late-night shopping, which runs from the switch-on right through to 19 December, with many shops staying open until 21:00, and there are transport offers tied to it, including free bus travel and parking for £1. The event is sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction.

If you want to make a proper festive day or evening of it, the switch-on is only the start. Drake Circus has its own lights switch-on at 17:00 on the same day, with snowfall on Old Town Street from 16:00 and the Parcel Rascals and Elf & Safety acts from 15:00, and the 25-foot Royal Christmas Tree stands in Old Town Square. A couple of days later, the Plymouth Barbican lights go on at 17:30 with free activities and entertainment from midday. After that, the Plymouth Christmas Market takes over Armada Way and New George Street from 27 November to 21 December with more than 100 traditional chalets, and Plymouth Winter Wonderland runs in Central Park from 21 November to 4 January with ice skating, rides and Santa's Grotto. Between the switch-on, the Barbican, the market and Winter Wonderland, there's plenty to fill the weeks leading up to Christmas.