Crowds enjoy Watford town centre Christmas lights switch-on

A large Christmas tree was illuminated and lights filled The Parade and high street with singer Clare Cordell, from ITV’s The Voice, given the special job of pressing the button just after 5pm (November 19).

Thousands were treated to a host of music performances including Clare who performed four songs for the joyous crowd.

Read more: Annual Watford Christmas sleigh route announced - when will Santa visit your street?

Electric Umbrella, Watford Rock Choir, the SEC Marching Drum Corps and Watford Palace Theatre also warmed up crowds with some brilliant entertainment, hosted by radio presenter Miles Blumsom.

Crowds look towards the stage in a packed Parade on Saturday afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

A mixture of festive songs and classics were boomed out with crowds waving their hands and LED lights and singing and dancing along. They were also treated to a fireworks display.

The Christmas tree illuminated (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Christmas lights in The Parade (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Before the lights were switched on (Image: Watford BID)

Some families spoke to the Watford Observer about the show that had been put on. Bobby who had travelled from Harrow said: “It was really nice, I thought this year was amazing and I though Clare was really good.”

left to right back: Bobby, Nisha, Dorica who were at the event (Image: Newsquest)

Ben and Laura Robson, who attended with their three children, said it was a “brilliant” atmosphere and praised the town centre businesses who funded the Christmas lights and entertainment.

The Robson family (Image: Newsquest)

Shibani Roy said: “It was a really good show, the lights are really pretty and a good combination of colour. I also like what they have done around the tree.”

The Sinah and Roy families (Image: Newsquest)

Lanchester Primary School head Amy teacher Claire Hammond, centre, with teacher Amy Henney and her children Isla and Ronnie (Image: Newsquest)

Ahead of the switch-on, Watford-born Clare said she was “excited” but “apprehensive”, particularly because of last year when some of the lights failed to turn on following the countdown.

Fortunately, this year were no technical hitches and once the lights were on, Clare said: “That was amazing. Everyone was singing along and the lights worked! I had an absolute blast and loved every minute of it."

Headline act Clare Cordell, who was also given the honour of switching on the Christmas lights (Image: Newsquest)

Clare, who has her first single coming out on December 9, added: “I couldn’t see the end of the crowd, it was all the way back. It was an honour to perform for everyone in Watford.”

Read more: The Voice UK: Learn about Clare Cordell from Watford

Read more: Clare Cordell speak about appearing on 'life-changing' The Voice

Watford Business Improvement District, which organised the event, with support from atria Watford and Watford Borough Council, posted on Facebook: “Thank you to the thousands who came today to make it a special occasion for out wonderful town, Watford.”

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