Craig David to switch on Oxford Street Christmas lights this weekend

The Seven Days singer will be lighting up central London for the festive season 
Lighting up London: Craig David will switch on the Oxford Street Christmas lights
Rex
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Craig David will switch on the spectacular Oxford Street Christmas lights this weekend.

The Grammy-nominated singer, best known for his Nineties classics Seven Days, Walking Away and Fill Me In, will hit the switch on Sunday night.

David, who recently released his album Following My Intuition — 16 years after his debut Born To Do — said:

“It’s a great honour to be switching on the lights and lighting up Oxford Street. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and an incredible 2017.”

Festive: Oxford Street will be lit up for Christmas this weekend 
Jeremy Selwyn

The event kicks off at 6.15pm and is hosted by Capital Radio. It will feature performances from The Vamps and Nathan Sykes, formerly of boyband The Wanted.

X Factor winner Louisa Johnson will give one of her first major performances since triumphing in the show last year.

The performances will take place on a stage built between John Lewis and House of Fraser and hosted by Capital DJs Will Manning and Aimee Vivian.

Performance: Louisa Johnson will perform at the event
Rex

Manning said: “This event officially marks the start of Christmas in London and I’m sure there will be a fantastic atmosphere on Oxford Street. It’s very exciting to be part of this year’s Christmas countdown celebrations.”

Vivian added: “Oxford Street’s Christmas lights are such an iconic part of London’s festive celebrations.

"I can’t wait to host the event with Will, and we’ll be joined by some brilliant acts to get London’s Christmas party well and truly started.”

Organisers are this year working in partnership with the NSPCC. For the first time in four years, Oxford Street will be closed to traffic throughout the Sunday to host a family festival for children — including a pop-up dream factories with balloon making, craft workshops and face painting and an interactive sensory grotto.

Stella McCartney Christmas Lights at Bruton Street Store

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Toy brand Hasbro will also host a My Little Pony bus with a colouring station and photo booth. There will be a street market selling hot dogs, burritos, pizzas and sweet and savoury crepes.

Londoners can pay £5 to dedicate one of the hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights to a loved one. Proceeds will go to the NSPCC.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of business body and event organiser New West End Company, said:

“We are thrilled that UK favourite Craig David will be switching on the Oxford Street Christmas lights this year at one of London’s most iconic annual events.

“There is always a wave of anticipation as the festive build-up begins and this year will be our first ever family festival and traffic-free day in the run-up to the Sunday switch-on moment.

"With a full day of entertainment families and visitors will be able to enjoy the ultimate Christmas shopping day and the fantastic evening entertainment.”

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