A FESTIVE sparkle has arrived in the city after Christmas lights were switched on across York.

Popular York Theatre Royal pantomime duo Berwick Kaler and Martin Barrass were joined by the BBC’s Clare Frisby and the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce, to flick the switch on this year’s lights in St Helen’s Square.

The big switch on last night saw hundreds of people gather in the city centre to sing along to Christmas songs and listen to the music of Lucy’s Pop Choir and the Shepherd’s Brass Band.

Martin told the excitable crowd that “Christmas starts here!” and The Lord Mayor said she could not wait for her Christmas as the First Citizen and is “looking forward to having a really great time in York".

Minster FM breakfast presenters Ben and Ellie compered the evening as the towering St Helen’s Square tree and surrounding shops and restaurants were lit up with 15km of lights and 160,000 bulbs.

Among the crowds were families, couples and students all getting into the Christmas spirit.

University of York students Julia Bottomley, 20, and friend Sarah Ivy, 21, said: “It’s a great way to start the Christmas celebrations.

“The atmosphere is great and everyone is having a lovely time.

“Christmas is all about having a good time with those close to you and there are plenty of people here doing that.”

Visitors to the city over the winter 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 the biggest city-wide lighting project yet.

Visitors will step in to a fairytale Christmas village with a vintage funfair ride, colourful face painting, selection of hot food and much more festive fare. One of the main attractions is an exclusive large-scale neon installation by local artist, Richard Wheater, helping to bring the gardens to life.

A mystical UV light pathway will guide visitors underneath tree canopies drenched in colours and children can unearth hidden Christmas messages in a unique game of hide and seek. The trail leads to Father Christmas’ secret bothy and to a tunnel of light.

Meanwhile, York Designer Outlet’s Winter Wonderland opens its doors tomorrow.

Families can go ice skating and see Santa in a new Polar Express themed grotto.