People cheered as the city centre was lit up by Christmas lights last night. Sparkling owls, foxes and reindeer returned to Bond Street and Gardner Street, Christmas aliens to North Street and a gleaming cascade of lights to Brighton’s clock tower. Brilliant Brighton’s annual Christmas lights are funded by the 517 businesses within the business improvement district.
Gardner Street (Image: The Argus) It costs the businesses £100,000 a year to put on the displays. To celebrate the start of the yuletide season and the return of the illuminations, Brilliant Brighton put on its Festive Afternoon to spread some Christmas magic. Choirs and bands popped up across The Lanes and North Laine from 2pm until 6pm, while festive helpers dressed as elves could be spotted visiting businesses to hand out goodies.
Streets were heaving with shoppers who could take advantage of a myriad of deals and discounts businesses had put on especially for the afternoon. The clock tower is sparkling (Image: The Argus) When the lights were turned on, people "oohed" and "aahed" and applauded. Saturday also saw Father Christmas turn on the Christmas tree lights in Crawley.
Victorian carol singers performed in the Memorial Gardens and there were even silent disco tours. There are plenty more Christmas light switch on events to look forward to . Eastbourne's Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm in Terminus Road on Saturday, November 30.
The entrance to North Laine (Image: The Argus) Leading up to tha.