Ho, ho, ho - Christmas lights go on tonight in Dublin and Cork
The countdown to Christmas truly gets underway today, with lighting up ceremonies planned for Cork and Dublin this evening.
In Dublin, an open-air concert from 6pm will precede the Christmas lights being switched on at Grafton Street, with music from the Halleluia Gospel Choir, The Swing Cats, Glenn & Ronan and Hermitage Green.
The lights will be turned on on different dates on Dublin's other main streets, including:
- Thursday 17 November, 5pm– Henry Street Lighting Ceremony from 5pm;
- Thursday 24 November – Smithfield Lighting Ceremony with music from 5.30pm – 7.30pm;
- Sunday 27 November – Switching on of O’Connell Street Christmas Tree Lights by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan Carr.
In Cork, large crowds are expected this evening when the county's most famous brothers - Olympic rowing heroes Gary and Paul O’Donovan - join the Lord Mayor of Cork to switch on the Christmas lights.
Beginning at 6.30pm on Patrick’s Street with music from The Academy of Popular Music, the official switch on takes place at about 7.15pm, with rumours of a special guest appearance by Santa Claus.
And just in case you needed reminding - you now have 42 days left to Christmas!
