Belfast's annual Christmas lights will be illuminated at City Hall on Saturday 14 November, signalling the start of the festive season. The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, will take to the stage alongside Cool FM presenters Stuart Robinson and Melissa Riddell for a family-focused evening packed with energy and seasonal entertainment. Organised by Belfast City Council, the event is free but ticketed. Tickets will be available from visitbelfast.com on a first-come, first-served basis from 10am on Tuesday 3 November, with a second release at 7pm the same day. Each booking is limited to five tickets. Councillor Donnelly said: "Tá mé ag dúil le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar thús shéasúr na Nollag le clár iontach de léiruithe Nollag agus siamsaíocht don teaghlach. "I'm looking forward to marking the start of the festive season with a fantastic line-up of seasonal performances and family entertainment. "A choir from my own former primary school, Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh, will open the show, and The Shamrocks will be joined on stage by Avenue Arts Academy for a special performance of 'Christmas in Belfast' - a nod to how Belfast celebrated together this summer, and inviting everyone to come in and enjoy everything the city has to offer. "Tumble Circus, Belvoir Players and The MAC will all share extracts from their seasonal circus, panto and theatre productions, the award-winning Quire Community Choir will share a classic Christmas song from the movies and there will also be a beautiful performance by Doogan Dance from the timeless festive ballet, The Nutcracker. "I gcónaí, bíonn ráchairt mhór ar na ticéid don imeacht a bhíonn ar siúl againn do lasadh na soilse. Mar sin de, bígí cinnte go gcuirfidh sibh ticéid in áirithe go luath, agus bígí i láthair nuair a lasfar soilse Nollag na cathrach. "Tickets for our switch-on event are always super popular, so make sure to book early and come and watch the city light up for Christmas." The Belfast Christmas Market will open at 12 noon on Saturday 14 November, returning with the familiar layout. The city's Christmas tree will again take pride of place at City Hall. A six-week programme of music and street performances will entertain visitors across the city centre, with further information to be announced soon as part of the council's Unwrap Belfast at Christmas campaign. Stuart Robinson, Content Director, Bauer Audio Northern Ireland, said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be back hosting Belfast's Christmas lights switch-on this year, alongside Melissa Riddell. There is no doubt it is a highlight in the city's calendar for everyone – including those who appear on the stage! "Over the years, many of our local stars have cited the Belfast Christmas lights switch-on as a standout memory – recently, Brian Kennedy told me that performing on stage with Van Morrison and President Clinton in 1995 was the highlight of his career. "There is a truly unique atmosphere to Belfast at Christmas and, having been the first presenter to play and champion the Shamrock's 'Christmas in Belfast' on the radio last year, it feels like a lovely full circle moment to share the stage again. I really can't think of a better or more apt way to ring in the official start of Belfast's festive season." The switch-on will run for around an hour. Gates open at 6pm, with the show starting at 6.30pm. City centre road closures will be in place from earlier in the afternoon. Attendees are advised to use public transport and allow extra time for travel. A wheelchair-accessible viewing platform will be available, with tickets limited to two per booking. These can be secured in person at the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre or by calling 028 9024 6609 from 10am on Tuesday 3 November. For those who prefer a quieter experience, a sensory switch-on will be held at 2 Royal Avenue on Saturday 14 November from 6pm to 8.30pm, featuring snow-based sensory play, Christmas characters and the lighting of the indoor tree. No tickets are required. For more information on Belfast's Christmas lights switch-on, visit belfastcity.gov.uk/christmaslights.