Families attending The Big Switch On event in Mansfield are in for a festive treat as a parade travels along Westgate.

At 2pm on Sunday 16 November, Santa will make his grand arrival to mark the opening of the grotto at the Four Seasons Shopping Centre. He will travel along Westgate from St John Street to the entrance of the shopping centre via horse and carriage, accompanied by other special guests.

In keeping with the Palace Theatre’s pantomime this year, the grotto will have a Sleeping Beauty theme. Stars from the pantomime, including Adam Moss as Silly Billy and Charles Burden as Nanny Glucose, will join the parade along with the Four Seasons Shopping Centre’s very own princess.

Children’s television favourite Mike the Knight will also be making an appearance at the parade along with Four Seasons’ mascot Buzz, stilt walkers and a carol singing Christmas tree.

The parade forms part of a whole day of festive celebrations to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights in Mansfield town centre.

The day finishes with a live stage show in the Market Place featuring a range of family entertainment including music acts, stars of the Palace Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty pantomime including Bad Fairy Vicky Entwistle (Janice Battersby in Coronation Street), Mike the Knight and Santa. Crowds will then be able to count down to the Christmas lights switch on and a fantastic fireworks display.

Deputy Mayor of Mansfield Cllr Roger Sutcliffe said: “It was really great to see how popular the parade was as part of Mansfield’s Christmas lights switch on event last year. This year it is set to be bigger and better than in 2013 with even more characters and family entertainment.

“Make sure you arrive in town nice and early so you don’t miss out.”

For more information about the event, visit www.mansfield.gov.uk/switchon

The event is organised by Mansfield District Council and the Four Season’s shopping centre with support from Mansfield 103.2, Mansfield BID, 6 five 2s taxis and Fresh Start Recruitment.