YORK'S main Christmas lights switch on will take place next Thursday night, November 16.

The Christmas tree lights in St Helen's Square will be turned on by panto stars Berwick Kaler and Martin Barrass who will be joined by the BBC’s Clare Frisby and the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce from 6pm.

The event marks the first night of late night shopping and the city's St Nicholas Fair.

As previously reported, this year will also see a new 'Christmas in the Museum Gardens' experience and thousands of LED lights lighting up historic bar walls. Lendal and Ouse bridges will also be lit for first time in biggest city-wide lighting scheme yet.

Presenter Clare Frisby will lead the traditional countdown to illuminating the St Leonard’s Hospice ‘Light up a Life’ Christmas Tree outside the Mansion House and Christmas lights around the square, accompanied by Lucy's Pop Choir and the Shepherd’s Brass Band.

York Business Improvement District and Make It York, the city’s destination management organisation, have joined forces this year to roll out what they are calling the city’s 'best ever winter and Christmas lights display'.

Sally Greenaway, Head of Visit York, said: “York promises a festive experience like never before. With new winter and Christmas lighting, a cram packed festival programme, a bigger and better St Nicholas Fair and the new Christmas at York Museum Gardens Experience, we hope all our visitors will enjoy a magical visit and see some of York’s stunning architecture lit up in all its glory.”

City shops and St Nicholas Fair, which will be open every day until 6pm and until 8pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday up until 22 December.

First York will also be extending Park & Ride services on Thursdays from 16 November for late night shopping with services running every 15 minutes.