Nicolas Cage to switch on Bath's Christmas lights

4th November 2009

Bath has invited one of its most famous residents, film star Nicolas Cage, to switch on the city's brand new Christmas lights on 26th November.

The switch on, which is being sponsored by Boots UK and Southgate, will take place at 6.30pm when Nicolas Cage joins the stage on Milsom Street. Mr Cage who is "excited and privileged" to be switching on the lights has said that he "loved Bath and thought it a beautiful city". This year Bath will have a brand new set of Christmas lights provided by a company who have illuminated cities from Paris to New York.

The annual tradition of the Christmas Lights switch on marks the start of the Bath Christmas Market and late night shopping in Bath and will take place on Milsom Street. The event will kick off at 4:30pm with local musicians and bands including the Bath Chorus and a group of performing arts students from Bath College who will be singing a collection of Christmas pop songs to get everybody in festive mood! At 6:00pm Heart FM DJ Toby Anstis will be on stage to entertain the crowds before Nicolas Cage makes his appearance to switch on the Christmas lights.

Bath will be buzzing on 26th November with plenty happening across the city after the switch on event has taken place. Stewards from the City of Bath College will be on hand to help direct visitors to the Christmas Market, shops and other facilities.

The Bath Christmas Market will be set in the stunning location between Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths and will feature over 100 traditional wooden chalets selling everything imaginable for the perfect shopping experience - local and unique crafts, jewellery, clothes, accessories and decorations. There will also be a good choice of warming food and drink with gourmet burgers, sausage cobs and festive favourites such as mince pies and mulled wine.

The evening will also see the start of late night shopping in Bath. With such a high percentage of independent and boutique shops in Bath, the city is the perfect place to find a special present. And with all the usual high street stores there is plenty for shoppers to explore. The much-awaited first phase of Southgate will be opening its doors to the public on 4th November 2009 and will be open late to shoppers on 26th November. New retail outlets to open include Boots, H&M, New Look and Quiksilver.

The city is no doubt going to be a busy place on 26th November as well as throughout the duration of the Christmas Market which finishes on 6th December - so don't forget to Park and Ride (the service has been especially extended), or use public transport if possible.

For further information about the Christmas lights switch on, the Bath Christmas Market and shopping in Bath visit the official tourism website for full details: www.visitbath.co.uk.

-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For further information or images to illustrate this information, please contact Lucy Weaver at Bath Tourism Plus on 01225 477441 or email: lucy_weaver@bathtourism.co.uk.

Bath Tourism Plus
Working with the public and private sectors, Bath's destination marketing organisation, Bath Tourism Plus, takes full responsibility for co-ordinating the work of a busy tourist information centre, the marketing of Bath and the surrounding area to leisure and business travellers, PR activity to attract the nation's top travel writers, a conference office, and development of Bath's official destination website www.visitbath.co.uk. For more information about the services that Bath Tourism Plus offers to meetings, conference and incentive travel businesses, see www.bathconference.co.uk

Travel to Bath
Bath is easy to access from all over the UK and the world. High speed, direct train services operated by First Great Western link Bath Spa train station to London and its major airports. Bath Spa train station is well situated, just 5 minutes level walk into the city centre's main shopping and tourist areas. See: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk . Bath is easy to access by car, from junction 18 of the M4 motorway which links Bath to Bristol, London and South Wales. There are 3243 pubic car parking spaces in Bath with the main long stay car parks at Charlotte Street and Avon Street. There are three Park & Ride services on the outskirts of the city which operate fast, frequent services into the city centre, offering a hassle free, cost effective way of reaching the city centre. The Park & Ride Service will be extended over the Christmas Market period. There is also a Park & Ride service that operates on Saturdays only from the University of Bath.