Blackburn Cathedral to host Christmas lights switch-on event

A free festive event will take place at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday, November 23, from 7pm until 9pm.

It forms part of a day of events across the town centre for the switch on.

The switch-on event is set to take place as part of Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon installation, which arrives at Blackburn Cathedral on Tuesday, November 5.

The installation, set to run until December 2, involves a moon sculpture measuring seven metres in diameter that is a to-scale replica of the real moon's surface - created using NASA imagery, with every centimetre of the sphere representing three miles of lunar terrain.

Real-life lunar locations, such as the Sea of Tranquillity (where the first moon landings took place), will be recognisable on the sculpture.

The Christmas lights switch-on event will form part of the Museum of the Moon installation (Image: NQ)

The Very Revd Peter Howell-Jones, Dean of Blackburn, said of the installation: "When combined with the awe-inspiring architecture of Lancashire’s Cathedral, [the installation] will offer people of the region a unique opportunity to get up close to the moon and we hope that it will be enjoyed by as many people as possible."

A surround-sound musical accompaniment, crafted by BAFTA and Ivor Novello-winning composer Dan Jones, will form part of the installation experience too.

Blackburn town centre's Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on November 23, a few days after the event in Darwen where K-Klass are headlining.

Scant details are available on Blackburn Cathedral's website about its event but it promises a "moon circus-themed spectacle of light, music and fun".

There is no charge for daytime entry to Blackburn Cathedral during the course of the exhibition, though a donation of £3 to £5 is suggested.

Last year saw Katrina's Dance Academy wow crowds in Blackburn town centre. It's as yet unknown if there will be any further entertainment in the town on November 23 besides the moon.