Well its not long off now! Christmas that is, exactly 51 days from writing this blog to the big day itself. One of the great benchmarks of Christmas starting for me has always been the switching on of the Christmas Lights in Bolton town centre.

The Bolton Christmas lights Switch On has always been a magical event for me all through growing up and even now. The parade, which celebrity will it be, the crowds in Victoria Square and of course the actual switching on of the lights themselves. No matter how old I get, that big switch on always fills me with such happy anticipation of what is to come.

Well this year Boltons Christmas Lights Switch On takes place on November 25th 2010 with events starting from 5pm.

This year the Christmas Spectacular will be a fantastic mix of family entertainment. There will be guests from Bolton Wanderers,Owen Coyle and special guest appearance of Wenlock and Mandeville the official London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots and not forgetting the biggest guest of all, FATHER CHRISTMAS who will take time out of his busy schedule to stop off in Bolton and say a big hello to us all.

There will be the Grand and long established parade which features snowmen and Santa on his sleigh will wind its way through town and into Victoria Square ready for the big switch on

The evenings events will culminate with Bolton Wanderers Player Kevin Davis doing the big switch on. Kevin Davis makes a great celebrity switch on this year having just launched his Bolton Charity KiDs of Bolton whose aim is to work with children in the Bolton area who need support and encouragement to reach their goals in life.

The event this year is going to be fabulous as usual and the Christmas Lights Switch on Programme is as follows

5pm Bolton Childrens Workshop show their talens

5.05pm MC Announces the line up for the evening

5.10pm Octagon Theatre cast from David Copperfield

5.25pm Flame Oz perform an amazing fire display

5.40pm Albert Halls panto cast take the stage

5.55pm Flame Oz back on stage

6.10pm BWFC players and Owen Coyle make an appearance

6.25pm Tonge UCAN choir perform with Laura White

6.35pm Rev Mark Street gives a Christmas message

6.40pm Flame Oz perform one last time

6.50pm Parade arrives onto Victoria Square

6.55pm Special guest, Mayor and Mayoress, Olympic mascots and Father Christmas come on stage for the switch on

7pm Switch on and firework finale

I am so excited, I love Christmas and the lights switch on in Bolton marks the very start of the festive season.