ITV Central presenter, Matt Teale, to host Leicester's Christmas lights show

ITV Central presenter, Matt Teale, is to host Leicester’s Christmas lights switch-on this year.

From 5pm on Thursday (22 November), a packed programme of live entertainment on the Humberstone Gate stage will get everyone feeling festive – with sing-along songs, foot-tapping tunes and a special visit from Santa.

Lord Mayor of Leicester Cllr Ross Grant will join Matt on stage for the big switch-on, which will be broadcast live on ITV News Central so thousands of people across the region can share in the fun.

Weather presenter Des Coleman – who was due to host the event – is unfortunately unwell and unable to attend, but his ITV News Central colleague Matt is delighted to step in and get Christmas started in Leicester.

The Humberstone Gate stage programme will continue after the big switch-on, with live music. Over in Town Hall Square, visitors will be able to see a tableau scene featuring Alice in Wonderland and listen to music from the Wigston Enterprise Band and the Oh Happy Days children’s choir. Leicester’s traditional nativity scene can also be found in Town Hall Square.

Highcross will also have lots of festive entertainment from 5pm until 9pm – while Leicester’s Wheel of Light in Jubilee Square will be giving visitors a bird’s eye view of the city’s glittering Christmas lights until 10pm