This is when Doncaster's Christmas lights will be switched on as festive fun unveiled

City of Doncaster Council bosses have unveiled a feast of festive fun this Christmas - including when the city’s illuminations will be turned on.

Residents and visitors are being urged to shop local and enjoy a wide range of events taking place across the city centre in the run up to Christmas.

Starting with the Christmas Light Switch-on on Saturday November 14, an entire line-up of events will once again be on offer in the city centre, which will all be available to view on the Visit Doncaster webpage as part of a new Countdown to Christmas campaign.

On top of the light switch-on, which will take place in the Market Square between 4pm and 8pm on November 14, there’s lots of festive magic lined up over the coming weeks including:

• Launch of this year’s Festive Trail - discover 12 stunning sculptures across the city centre
• Father Christmas at the Mansion House - 16-19 December (Tickets available soon)
• Festive finale and late-night shopping - 17 December
• Festival of Light returns to the Corn Exchange - 19-26 November

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “Once again we have a fantastic line-up of events and activities taking place in the city centre from November onwards, including and beginning with the Christmas light switch-on.

"I won't unveil all the festive surprises just yet, especially when it comes to this year’s sculpture trail, but I can say that we're delighted to welcome Father Christmas and his elves back to the Mansion House this December.

Want more stories like this? Click here to get our daily newsletter

“I also really do want to take this opportunity to encourage people to visit the city centre over Christmas.

“Over the past two years, we have invested heavily and worked tirelessly to make the city centre safer, cleaner, greener and a more attractive and pleasant place to visit.

“We know there is more to do – that is why we are focusing on a new city centre masterplan which will help us prioritise and target future investment – but in the meantime please do see the events on offer, visit the local businesses, and shop and support local with family and friends.”

The City Centre has been the centre of a number of regenerative projects over the past two years and has seen investment in several key areas including at the Wool Market, the Corn Exchange, the Rail Station, the Civic and Cultural Quarter and at the Waterfront, focusing on making the centre a more modern, attractive and thriving place to visit.

Recently, a new masterplan has been unveiled, outlining plans to target investment in further areas, including along the Waterfront and the Colonnades. More information can be found on this here - Doncaster City Centre Masterplan - City of Doncaster Council.

Over the winter months, the council will also be stepping up safety around the city centre, which will include partnership patrols with South Yorkshire Police, increased presence at events and roll-out of further resources to help people stay safe on nights out.

This initiative is all part of a collaboration between the council and South Yorkshire Police, known as Safer City, an initiative that sees both organisations working together to crack down on crime and antisocial behaviour, and looks to invest in additional resources that help residents better enjoy everything that Doncaster has to offer.

More information on this can be found here - Making Doncaster a Safer City - YourLifeDoncaster

Visit Doncaster have launched a full guide to everything Christmas-themed happening in Doncaster this season, with events being added on a continuous basis. Keep checking their webpage to find out what events you will be interested in attending over November and December - Countdown to Christmas

​