Douglas will be the Christmas capital on Thursday, with the official switching on of the festive lights.

The big switch-on will form part of an evening of family entertainment. It gets under way in Ridgeway Street at 6.15pm, with music from Douglas Town Band, followed by a panto preview by the cast of Aladdin, and a Christmas themed performance by Young Actor of Mann Alexandra Slater.

Mayor of Douglas Debbie Pitts will then join the proceedings accompanied by the mayor’s chaplain, Archdeacon Andrew Brown, who will offer prayers.

At 7pm, the Mayor will switch on the lights, with accompanying ’snow’.

Santa will be in his grotto, on the corner of John Street, and it also marks the start of the regular Thursday late-night shopping, in Douglas, the run-up to Christmas.

The stage for the entertainment will be in Lower Ridgeway Street, with spectator access provided from Prospect Hill, Victoria Street and King Street.

A disabled viewing area directly in front of the stage can be accessed from Lord Street.

Strategically placed screens will show all the action live.

It means a number of road closures during the event, including:

â?¢ Ridgeway Street, from Lord Street to Prospect Hill, from 7pm tomorrow (Wednesday) until 2am on Friday.

â?¢ Prospect Hill, from Athol Street to Ridgeway Street, on Thursday, from midday until midnight.

â?¢ King Street, between Ridgeway Street and Ridgeway Street Lane, on Thursday from 5.30pm to midnight.

â?¢ Ridgeway Street Lane, between Lord Street and Victoria Street, on Thursday, from 5.30pm to midnight.

The start of late-night shopping means there will be free parking in Shaw’s Brow and the Bottleneck car parks on pre-Christmas Thursdays, from 5pm to 10pm - starting this week.

From the last weekend in November, the free parking will also apply all day Saturday and Sunday until December 24.

Chester Street will continue to operate its car ’Free after Three’ parking, Monday-Friday, and a flat rate of £2 for all-day Saturday.