Norwich 2023 Christmas lights switch-on bumper gallery

Thousands of people flocked to City Hall on Thursday evening to celebrate the start of the festive season.

The crowd was kept entertained from the early evening with performances from community groups and even a visit from Father Christmas.

READ MORE: Thousands line city streets as West End star turns on Christmas lights

There were also inflatable 'snowballs' and rain quickly turned to snow as machines fired out white foam.

The special guest switching on the lights at 7.15pm was West End star Millie O’Connell, who is in this year's Norwich Theatre Royal panto Sleeping Beauty. 

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Millie O'Connell turning on the Norwich Christmas lights Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Millie O'Connell turning on the Norwich Christmas lights Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Millie O'Connell turning on the Norwich Christmas lights Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Christmas lights 2023 Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)