S Club star Jo O’Meara is set to bring the party to Accrington this Christmas as she headlines the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On, joining a huge line-up of live music, family entertainment and fireworks in the heart of the town centre.
Thousands of visitors are expected to descend on Accrington on Thursday 26th November for the free event, organised by Scott Dawson Advertising and sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council and new sponsor Moving PEOPLE.
Based in Oswaldtwistle, Moving PEOPLE is an independent coach company with over 15 years’ experience and a fleet of 38 vehicles. Specialising in coach holidays to beautiful destinations across the UK, the company also offers day trips, bus and coach hire, school bus services and much more.
Taking place from 4pm until 7:45pm, the action-packed programme will also feature Oasis, Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and K-Pop tributes.
Jo O’Meara, one of the unmistakable voices behind some of Britain’s biggest pop hits, will take to the main stage on Broadway at approximately 7pm with her live band, bringing a wave of nostalgia to one of the town’s most popular annual events.
As part of S Club, Jo helped provide the soundtrack to the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the group achieving four UK number-one singles, including ‘Bring It All Back’ and ‘Don’t Stop Movin’, plus ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’ and ‘Have You Ever’, both of which achieved number one in December.
The group also topped the UK album charts with ‘7’ in 2000 and won two BRIT Awards, taking home Best British Newcomer in 2000 and Best British Single for ‘Don’t Stop Movin’ in 2002. They also sold a whopping 16 million records worldwide, with further chart-topping singles in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the United States.
Jo has enjoyed success with her debut solo single ‘What hurts the most’ and released two acclaimed solo albums. More recently she has shared stages all across the UK with live concerts and collaborations including a run in the iconic London Palladium.
With timeless favourites including ‘Reach’ and ‘S Club Party’ still enjoyed by generations of fans, Jo’s headline performance promises to be a highlight of this year’s festive celebrations including iconic songs of the band, as well as upbeat dancefloor classics which guarantee to get the party started.
Elsewhere, Accrington Market will be open during the day and evening, joining in the festivities with live entertainment, while its café, bar and street food vendors will be open for visitors to enjoy.
Back to the main stage and music fans will also be treated to a full live band performance from one of the UK’s leading Oasis tribute acts at 6:15pm, featuring some of the Manchester band’s best-loved anthems, from ‘Wonderwall’ to ‘Live Forever’.
The packed entertainment programme will also feature tributes to Sabrina Carpenter at 4:30pm and Taylor Swift at 5:45pm, alongside a K-Pop tribute at 5:15pm. K-Pop acts have proved hugely popular, being mobbed by excited young fans at the Connecting Cultures event earlier in the year, and they are now set to bring that same energy to Accrington. Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the K-Pop performers at a special meet and greet from 5:45pm until 6:15pm in Santa’s Grotto.
Local primary school talent will also take centre stage, with the collective school choir, featuring Mount Pleasant, St Mary’s RC, Baxenden St John’s CE, Accrington Woodnook, St John’s Stonefold CE, Oswaldtwistle West End, Huncoat, Rishton Methodist, Green Haworth CE, St Anne’s & St Joseph’s RC, St Nicholas CE and many more. Each child will also receive a free selection box sponsored by The Cardboard Box Company and Proctor Process Plant Limited.
The choir will be led by Helen Davies from St Christopher’s CE High School, opening the event at 4pm, followed by a performance from the Helen Green Academy of Dance at 4:20pm. House of Fusion Dance & Community Arts will also take to the main stage at 4:50pm, showcasing more fantastic local talent as part of the packed entertainment programme.
The festive celebrations will begin even earlier in the day, with a special Blessing of the Crib taking place on Broadway at 2pm, featuring pupils from Accrington St Mary Magdalen’s Church of England Primary School. The Mayor of Hyndburn, Cllr Noordad Aziz, will also be in attendance for the traditional ceremony, marking the start of the town’s Christmas celebrations. Each child will receive a free selection box sponsored by Iceland and The Food Warehouse.
Football fans will have plenty to look forward to, with players from Accrington Stanley and Accrington Stanley Women joining host Stephen Lowe on the main stage at 5pm.
After chatting to Stephen, the players will kick free footballs into the crowd on Broadway before heading to the OASST shop in the Arndale at 5:15pm for a special meet and greet with supporters. Accrington Stanley Women’s brand-new pink shirt will also be available to purchase at the shop on the night.
Away from the main stage, the town centre will be filled with festive attractions, with Broadway hosting a wide selection of food, drink and craft stalls, while Union Street will be home to funfair rides.
The Arndale will also welcome charity and community stalls, offering visitors the chance to support local organisations while enjoying tombolas, competitions and opportunities to win prizes.
Families will also have the chance to meet Father Christmas at the popular free Santa’s Grotto on Broadway from 5:15pm, where free selection boxes will be handed out on a first come, first served basis.
The event will build towards a memorable finale, with Jo O’Meara’s headline performance followed by the countdown to a fireworks display at 7:40pm.
Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington and Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Christmas Light Switch On and the incredible line-up we’ve put together. Having Jo O’Meara headlining is a real highlight, and with so much free entertainment for all the family, it’s shaping up to be a fantastic evening. We can’t wait to see Accrington town centre packed with people enjoying the celebrations together.”
Cllr Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “The #AmazingAccrington Christmas Lights Switch On is an amazing event for our town and a wonderful way to kickstart the festive period. It brings the community together, supports our town centre and gives families the opportunity to enjoy a great evening of free entertainment. We’re delighted to support it.”
Glen Chamberlain, Managing Director of Moving PEOPLE, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be sponsoring the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On. It’s an event that everyone looks forward to each year, and we’re delighted to be part of it and support such a fabulous local event.”
The free-to-attend event takes place in Accrington town centre on Thursday 26th November, from 4pm until 7:45pm, with the main stage located on Broadway.
To find out more about Moving PEOPLE, visit www.movingpeopleltd.co.uk.
For the latest announcements and event updates, visit www.amazingaccrington.co.uk
