Thousands descended on Albert Square for the event, which heralded the start of the city's festive celebrations.
Lee Ryan, of boy band Blue, took to the stage before the lights were switched on by city centre charity workers Jaki and John Armstrong, who won the chance in a charity auction, and a stunning firework finale erupted from behind the town hall and over the head of the inflatable Santa on the roof.
Bury-born Happy Mondays and X Factor star Rowetta warmed up the crowd for the pyrotechnics with a stunning performance of Eleanor Rigby, followed by entertainment from Hulme's dance troupe Freedom Expression and the show's host, Century FM DJ Darren Proctor.
Magical motor Chitty Chitty Bang Bang arrived with Santa to get the crowd in the Christmas spirit.
Youngsters were thrilled by the appearance of Alex the Lion and the penguins from this year's animation box office hit, Madagascar - and the stars of the Lowry's Cinderella pantomime.
Eccles' opera sensation , Jon Christos, backed by the Bridgewater Preparatory School Choir, lent his voice to the glittering occasion.
Picture: MIKE GRIMES Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
the fire works and show were fantastic. but this was let down by the fact that the lights in manchester are not ready.
all the main shopping streets are yet to be finished and the arndale are just getting started.would it not been better to have everyone ready before having the switch on night
All for the lights, will look great and festive. But who paid for the half whit minor celebs and collections of has beens to turn up and perform a song penned by a scouser? Surely the money would be better spent in some of the local communities. A real Xmas present from the council!!!!!!!!
Exactly what i thought we were there at the switch on then afterwards had a drive around to look at the lights, i think on cross street one of them was working but the rest of them were not on fancy having a big hyped up event like last night for the big lights switch on and half of then arent even working!! Typical Manchester Eh??!!
Since the Contractors have taken over xmas lights from MCC they have gone down hill, There are no where near as many lights as there used to be. On King Street they had to take them down as the bolts holding them were coming out of the walls. !!!
from recent articles and campaigns by this newspaper to ban the sale and use of fireworks only to the 5th november, here is the MEN extolling the virtues of a firework display, one week after their own deadline.
red faces all round at the MEN??.
Missed this year's switch on due to the disappointing 'switch ons' from previous years. Always seem to be a great big advert for something and the lights seem just the same as ever,maybe even less put up nowadays! Had a look at the Trafford Centre Christmas lights and they are something impressive. Manchester town centre take note!!!!
i went to the switch on. and must nod and say yes i enjoyed the big show (lee ryan was fab) but cant say i enjoyed any big switch on there is no lights switched on. i go to the manchester switch on as often as i can but this one had nothing to do with christmas was just one big plug for cd sales,new dvd's and pantomime performances. wasn't the best switch on for Manchester.
Having been to the last few years of Manchesters Switch On, I have to say this was by far the best, and had more people attend than recent years, however why weren't the city prepared with the lights. I too had a drive around and it was a real let down - maybe make sure everything is ready next year folks. As for the entertainment, Lee from Blue was a hit with the kids but it's not my bag, great to see some local talent giving up their time; (and to the half-whit who commented, after researching this they gave their time and efforts for free) in particular Rowetta and Jon Christos, the latter in particular being the best of the night performing the only festive song of the evening with the wonderful kids choir from Worsley.