The numbers haven’t been confirmed yet but it seems tonight saw one of the largest crowds we’ve ever had for the switch-on!  I hope you’ll agree that the show was great; all of the acts were fantastic and the fireworks were a perfect end to the evening.  We even got snow!

Why not leave a comment below and let us know who you liked best!

5.34 – 5.42 – School Choir

5.42 – 5.48 – Stags and Miss Mansfield

5.58 – 6.13 – Eli Prime

6.13 – 6.22 – Fireman Sam

6.23 – 6.43 – Lemar

6.43 – 6.51 – Panto Characters and Santa

6.51 – 6.55 – Countdown and switch on

6.55 – 7.00 – Fireworks

So far, Mansfield 103.2′s Watko at Breakfast and John B Tannen on Drive have found these winners:

Monday Oct 31st

Breakfast – Ashley Cod – Sutton in Ashfield
Drive – Rose England – Selston

Tuesday Nov 1st

Breakfast – Emma Tucker – Forest Town
Drive – Steve Everett – Mansfield

Wednesday Nov 2nd

Breakfast – Emma Vincent – Langworth
Drive – Julie Wain – Oaktree Mansfield

Thursday Nov 3rd

Breakfast – Lorraine Lindo – Mansfield
Drive – Natalie Leech – Forest Town

Friday Nov 4th

Breakfast - Sinead Corsa – Sutton In Ashfield
Drive – Cazzie Mills – Forest Town

Monday Nov 7th

Breakfast – Rebecca Treweek  – Mansfield
Drive – Alan Scott – Warsop

Tuesday Nov 8th

Breakfast – Patrick Doyle – Mansfield
Drive – Jenny Petit – Ladybrook Mansfield

Wednesday Nov 9th 

Breakfast - Louise Buckley – Forest Town
Drive – April Hunt – Huthwaite

Thursday Nov 10th 

Breakfast - Caz Barker – Mansfield Woodhouse
Drive – Bev Brown – Ladybrook Mansfield

More names will be added daily!

Headlining this year’s event will be R&B star and Brit Award Winner, Lemar performing a selection of his greatest hits.

Entertainment will also be provided by boy band Eli Prime, appearances by Fireman Sam, carol singers from the Brunts School, stars from the Palace Theatre’s Pantomime Jack in the Beanstalk, players from Mansfield Town Football Club, Miss Mansfield and of course, Santa.

The event will be officially opened at 5.30pm by Elected Mayor Tony Egginton, Youth Mayor Daniel Winfield and Deputy Youth Mayor Dawn Meade. The event will be presented by Mansfield 103.2 and the Chad and will finish with at 7pm after a firework extravaganza.

A truly festive atmosphere will be created by the giant snow machine ahead of the switch-on itself and the firework finale.

Two giant TV screens will be positioned to give more people the opportunity to watch the spectacular event. The screens will not be angled down West Gate this year as all the market stalls are being removed to create more viewing space within the market place.

After the main event, acts will be available in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre to sign autographs. Shops will be open late to mark the first day of late night shopping in the town, which will take place every Thursday in the run up to Christmas.

Places are available on a dedicated viewing platform for wheelchair users. To book a place on a first come first served basis, call 01623 463 733.

The event is organised by the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, the BID, Mansfield 103.2, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, 6 five 2s Taxis, Xposure Creative and the Chad.

Mansfield District Council’s Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said: “Mansfield’s Christmas lights switch-on event is one of the town centre’s biggest events and this year’s top entertainment line up means it’s going to be the best yet!

“I really look forward to seeing so many people celebrating the official countdown to Christmas in Mansfield.”

Keep checking back here for more updates!

25 lucky winners will get door-to-door service to and from the event, where you’ll see boyband Eli Prime, Fireman Sam, Stags players, fireworks, the big switch-on and of course Lemar, to name a few!

Make sure you keep your ear out for the special Christmas questions with Watko at Breakfast and John B Tannen on Drive for your chance to win.  You’ll also find a chance to win in The Chad newspaper so keep your eyes peeled!

The Mansfield Christmas lights switch-on has a history of attracting some famous faces and this year is no exception. R&B star and Brit Award Winner, Lemar will be taking to the stage as the headline act.

Lemar’s talents were brought to the public’s attention when he took part in the BBC’s Fame Academy in 2002. Although he finished the show in third place, he went on to have seven top ten UK singles and sold over two million albums.

The FREE event, taking place on 17 November (5.30pm to 7pm) at Mansfield Market Place, is one of the largest events in Mansfield Town Centre’s calendar and this year is set to be even bigger and better than ever.

Up and coming boy band Eli Prime, will also be getting the crowds in the party spirit with their own edgy fusion of electro club beats and commercial pop songs.

For the younger audience, Fireman Sam will be appearing at various intervals.

The dazzling Christmas lights switch-on event will be opened by the Mayor of Mansfield and the event will be hosted by presenters from Mansfield 103.2.

As you stand beneath the glittering Christmas lights and enjoy the fantastic fireworks display and Christmas snow, you’re sure to feel the festive spirit.

Once the show’s over, head into the Four Seasons Shopping Centre where you will be able to meet the stars of the show and get your very own autographs.

The event marks the start of late night Thursday shopping in the town centre on the run-up to Christmas, with many shops open until 8pm.

Places are available on a dedicated viewing platform for wheelchair users and can be booked on a first come first served basis by calling 01623 463 073.

The event is organised by the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, the BID, Mansfield 103.2, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, 6 five 2s Taxis, Xposure creative and the Chad.

Mansfield District Council’s Executive Mayor Tony Egginton said:

“Mansfield is building a tradition for putting on a great switch-on event and some spectacular Christmas lights – I’m sure this year will be no exception.”

“The Christmas Lights Switch-on is always a personal highlight of the year for me – it’s an opportunity for people from our district and beyond to come together and celebrate the official start of the countdown to Christmas” added Tony.

Keep checking back for more exciting switch-on news!

The annual big switch on featuring stage show with family entertainment, live music and a fantastic fireworks display will take place in Mansfield Market Place on Thursday 17 November.

The event will mark the start of late night shopping in the town and gives everyone a chance to start their festive celebrations and see what the town has to offer.

The event is organised by the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee, which includes Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Town Centre Partnership, the BID, Mansfield 103.2, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, 6 five 2s Taxis, Xposure Creative and the Chad.

Emma Sowter, Mansfield District Council’s Events and Promotions Co-ordinator said: “Planning is well underway for this year’s event and I’m sure it will prove to be better than ever!

“Watch this space for more details about who will be appearing on stage and make sure you put the date in your diary.”

Keep checking the site for details of star guests as they are announced!

The Christmas Lights Committee would like to say thank you, to the members of the public for attending, and to those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this year’s event extra special.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Mansfield Christmas Lights Committee.

Mansfield District Council’s interim town center manager has written a song as part of a campaign to encourage people to do their Christmas shopping in Mansfield.

Because It’s Christmas in Mansfield
By Nick Turner

Christmas is coming, guitars start a strumming, the shops are all filling up
The markets are welcoming people for the seasonal switch on

Come on run with us, shop with us
Come to town and dance with us
Mansfield District, 103.2, will welcome you

Because it’s snowing in the street, smiling faces that you meet,
Tinsel in the town, we won’t let you down

The Chad reports for you, your local news, 103.2 your vocal views
Ian Watkins on the breakfast show, John B Tannon, is in the know

The Stags football team, will make you scream
Come on you Stags, climb up the league
The town’s behind you, both the Tony’s show
From the Council to the radio

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

Mansfield, Mansfield, Four Seasons and retail parks,
Market people and M&S, Debenhams you can buy a dress
River Island, Laura Ashley too, TK Maxx, Boots and Burtons for you
Westgate Stores with department floors,
Primark, JJB and Comet Stores

Liquid nightclub, ‘And Why Not’ food, Palace Theatre, with season’s panto show
Cheeky Monkeys, Martha’s, Widow Frost, Stag and Pheasant, Yates and Riley’s pots

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

Mansfield, Mansfield, Four Seasons and retail parks,
Market people and M&S, Debenhams you can buy a dress

The Chad reports for you your local news, 103.2 your vocal views
Ian Watkins on the breakfast show, John B Tannon, is in the know

Because it’s Christmas in Mansfield, have the time of your life sealed
Wrapping paper to orange peel, you are welcome in Mansfield

The Stags football team, you make us scream

We are delighted to announce that 12 Stags hero’s will be signing autographs for fans at the Christmas Lights Switch On event.  The signing is a unique opportunity to meet some of the stars from the Stags so make sure you arrive on time!

The signing will take place at Debenhams in the Four Season Centre, come and meet:

David Holdsworth
Duncan Russell
Jason Truscott
Steve Foster
Adam Murray
Rhys Day
Tom Naylor
Ryan Williams
Simon Grand
Peter Vincenti
Steve Cook
Louis Briscoe

Don’t forget your Stags shirts!