Santa kicks off the festive fun in Derry - Londonderry

Thousands of people packed into Guildhall Square last night to greet Santa as he swooped into the city from the North Pole for Derry's Christmas Lights Switch On.

The first sprinklings of snow were felt across the city adding some frosty festive sparkle to the Switch On which heralds the launch of the festive season.

As well as the annual favourites  there is a few new additions to the programme including a Christmas Wonderland, robotic elves, tall tales from Hans Christian Andersen, an opportunity plant your own Christmas Tree and a Christmas Tree Festival at the historic St. Columb’s Cathedral.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Derry! @goQradio pic.twitter.com/nY5xqDxBXD

— Rebekah Logan (@Rebekah_Logan) November 17, 2016

Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aeidin McCarter, said:

“It was fantastic to see so many families turning out to this evening’s Switch On event, despite the inclement conditions. Santa and his reindeer received such a warm welcome from the children of Derry that he will definitely be adding a few extra toys to his sleigh when he comes back on December 25 -, and I’ve heard that a few names have even been moved off the naughty list!

“We look forward now over the coming weeks to unveiling some exciting new highlights in our Christmas programme. This is such an important time for local businesses and it’s great to be able to bring more people into our city and town centres to enjoy the cultural and commercial delights which we have to offer.”

Strabane's Christmas Light Switch On will take pace on Saturday 19^th November from 2.00pm, Castlederg on Thursday 24^th November from 7.00pm and Newtownstewart on Thursday 1^st December from 4.00pm.