Festival of Lights brings magic to annual Christmas switch-on

The Christmas Festival of Lights brought holiday cheer to a packed John Mackintosh Square last Friday.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Families watched on in awe as the ‘big button’ was pressed switching on the lights until the end of the holiday season.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

This year’s Christmas Festival of Lights was organised by the Gibraltar Cultural Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, and the Gibraltar Electricity Authority.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

The evening’s entertainment was hosted by Christian Santos and began with live music, song and dance.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Programme of events at John Mackintosh Square included performances by the Sea Scouts Pipe & Drum Band, St Joseph’s Middle School Choir, Yalta Dance Studio and the Gibraltar Youth Choir.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

This was followed by a special appearance from Father Christmas and then switch-on Christmas Lights ceremony.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

The last of the evenings events included the opening of Santa’s Grotto and of the Christmas Market.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

The lights will be switched on every night day until January 6, 2019.

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Festival Lights 23 -11-18 (Photo John Bugeja)

Pics by Johnny Bugeja