Camels, digital fireworks and food from around the world created a cosmopolitan atmosphere at Leicester's Christmas lights switch-on.
More than 15,000 people flocked to the city centre yesterday to enjoy the start to the festive season as the Lord Mayor Mustafa Kamal flipped the switch.
At switch-on time, he was joined on stage at Humberstone Gate by Santa and the cast from the De Montfort Hall panto Aladdin.
Thousands of children and adults joined in the countdown just as the clock passed 4.30pm.
As the lights came on, a snow machine showered the crowds with sparkling flakes and Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody boomed out over the public address system.
Manu Ganesh, from Western Park, Leicester, said: "It is a great atmosphere and the kids are having a great time."
Organisers had spread the event out this year at a number of locations to cope with bigger crowds and avoid a crush.
Karina Jeggo, from the city centre, was there with her seven-year-old niece Erin O'Brien.
Karina said: "It is much better this year. It was absolutely rammed last year."
Dancers and musicians entertained the crowds as the nine-hour event started at 11am with a winter food and crafts festival at Leicester Market.
Large crowds milled around in the market tasting foods from around the world in including Colombian sauces, paella, food from north Africa and a wide range of specialities from the Indian sub continent.
Cathrine Ndlovu, 40, a support worker from Leicester, was a first time visitor to the Winter Food and Crafts Festival.
Tucking into an appetising dish of Caribbean curried goat, she said: "The food is delicious and the festival is amazing."
The build up to the switch on included a procession from the Town Hall Square to the Cultural Quarter led by three bactrian camels Berty, Sophia and Kazakh.
Around 400 people followed them through the city centre.
They stopped near Curve theatre where youngsters could get a close look.
Erin Gilbert, from Newbold Verdon, was with her eight-year-old son Noah.
She said: "It is much better this year as the attractions are spread out more. I am looking forward to seeing the lights display outside the Curve."
Stephanie Cave, of Ratby, was with her three-year-old son Samuel Kinghorn-Cave.
She said: "Samuel liked the camels but he can't wait to see Santa."
As the evening closed in, a digital firework display was staged in Orton Square outside the Curve until 8pm.
A spokeswoman for the organisers said: "We estimate we have had between 15,000 and 18,000 visitors at the various venues, of whom around 5,000 attended the switch-on in Humberstone Gate."
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