Hull’s Christmas lights will be switched on next week by Pride of Britain 2025 award winner Marcus Skeet, known to his online followers as The Hull Boy.
Marcus will join the Lord Mayor, Councillor Cheryl Payne, as well as a special guest direct from the North Pole to get the festive period underway.
On Thursday 20 November, Queen Victoria Square will come alive with stunning light and sound installations, and thousands expected to join the crowd.
Entertainment will get under way at 5.30pm, with DJ Darren Lethem returning as host on Hull City Hall balcony to introduce live performers from State of the Arts Academy, including Dave Walkington, Russ Fallon, Alex from Venus and X-Factor’s Samantha. The MICE choir and Little Darlings Princess Parties will also perform live.
Marcus, Lord Mayor and Father Christmas will switch on the lights at 6.45pm, complete with a firework display (weather dependent) over Queen Victoria Square.
Lord Mayor, Cllr Cheryl Payne, said: “Hull’s Christmas lights switch-on is a highlight in our city’s calendar and a fantastic occasion for families to kick-off the festive season.
“I am honoured to be joined by Marcus Skeet so we can celebrate his amazing achievements too. I know the people of Hull will welcome him with open arms as a wonderful local ambassador.”
Marcus Skeet said: “It’s an honour for me and my family to be asked to turn on the lights. I’ve seen it on the television for years. It means the world to us and I cannot wait.”
At the centre of the event, a 50ft Norwegian Spruce, sponsored by KWL, will be lit for the first time, following its arrival into Queen Victoria Square on Friday 14 November.
The event kicks off the festive season in Hull with Christmas activities taking place across the city, including a bumper Christmas weekend of fun planned for the 29 and 30 November which will see markets and family entertainment take over much of the city centre.
Find out more about Christmas in Hull here.
For those wanting to avoid driving into the city centre, East Yorkshire and Stagecoach buses provide regular services from across the city and, with the government-funded fare cap, a single journey costs no more than £3.
Anyone travelling with family and friends can also save money by purchasing a Hull Card Group ticket for up to six people of any age, for just £14.90, which provides unlimited travel on both operators’ services.
Depending on the destination, last buses depart from Hull Paragon Interchange between 11 and 11.30pm.
Visit the operators’ websites or download apps to help plan a journey.
