Around 8,000 people visited Mansfield town centre on Sunday for the annual Christmas Light Switch On event.

The day was packed with festive entertainment for all the family. The Market Place hosted an elf-themed circus skills workshop and Christmas party for children, while Pleasley Colliery Welfare brass band and The Red Hot Band performed on stage.

At the Four Seasons Shopping Centre, crowds watched Santa’s Big Arrival shows. Each show featured appearances from an animatronic polar bear, The Snowman™, panto stars, mascots including Scoop the dog and Buzz the bee, a brass band, Miss Mansfield and Santa himself.

Local performing arts groups Razzamataz and Funky Studios warmed up the crowd in the pre-stage show.

The Big Switch On stage show itself, which was hosted by Mansfield 103.2, was full of Christmas cheer as the mayor opened the event and congratulated Paralympic swimmers Ollie Hynd and Charlotte Henshaw.

Soul Rhythm performed popular hits to get the crowd moving before the stars from the Palace Theatre’s pantomime, Peter Pan, took to the stage. Millie Harrison and Jasmine Allsop, from Ashfield School choir, led a sing along of Walking In the Air while the Snowman™ made a special appearance. Katie Markham, who will soon be bringing her Adele tribute act to the Palace Theatre, then sang a fabulous selection of Christmas favourites before Santa himself appeared live on stage.

The official job of turning on the lights was given to eight year old Jaidon Boucher. Jaidon won the opportunity after his family donated £605 towards Mansfield 103.2’s Kings Mill Toy Appeal in an auction.

As the lights went on, a firework display was launched over the town to mark the countdown to Christmas.

Mayor Kate Allsop, said: “The event was a great success and we want to thank everyone who took part and helped to make it happen.

“Thanks also to everyone who came along and showed your support. We hope families had a really good day out.”

The event marks the start of late night shopping in Mansfield every Thursday in the town centre. Santa’s grotto in Four Seasons is also now open every day until Christmas Eve.