From Thursday 19th November, shoppers heading to the town for the first opportunity for late-night gift-buying will be treated to a carefully planned mix of music, dance, games and giveaways to get everyone in the mood for the season.Thursday November 19th

Every late night Thursday, shoppers can enjoy a different look and feel to the evening – spanning everything from a retail treasure hunt, human statues, stilt-walkers to cookery demonstrations, mini street-panto sessions and the chance to win prizes.

Paul Clement, executive director of Ipswich Central, said: “We are pleased to be announcing this package of events and activities for Christmas 2009 in Ipswich.”

“Both ourselves and the Council have learned a great deal over the course of the last few years and feel that the town’s shoppers, and the retailers, need to get more from Christmas promotions than just one switch-on event can offer. The switch-on became a victim of its own success and had got so big that, last year, many people who had queued for some while, then found that they could not get onto the Cornhill to enjoy it.”

"This year we have taken this into consideration and devised a programme of events which is spread over the town and over five Thursday evenings so that everyone can get involved and the atmosphere continues each week, right up until Christmas”.

This year's lights will be switched on the first time on Thursday 19th November, the first of the late night shopping evenings. The lights will come on around the town in a staggered fashion, as Santa passes by on his sleigh.

Paul went on: “A lot of work has been put into creating five great nights of festivity for those coming to the town to do their Christmas shopping this year.”

“I am personally looking forward to seeing the town transformed into an arena of colour, noise, activity and celebration in a way that simply hasn’t been done within Ipswich during the Christmas build-up before.”

“As part of the new line-up, Ipswich Central together with Ipswich Borough Council is providing some upgrades to the existing festive lights, plus new displays to the Waterfront area.”

“I am particularly delighted that, together with the Evening Star, we are bringing the traditional Christmas Tree back to the Cornhill, this year in a new position directly in front of the Town Hall, which will be lit behind it for extra effect. The tree, which will be the biggest ever seen in Ipswich, will include a new lighting system which will become the centerpiece to the town’s festivities.”

Speaking on behalf of Ipswich Borough Council, Richard Atkins said: “We are looking forward to this year’s programme. In Ipswich we like to set trends, not follow them, and I am sure people will enjoy the extra bit of magic on offer during the festive period.”