Thousands set to greet Santa for Derry's Christmas lights switch-on

Santa Claus will fly in specially from the North Pole tonight to switch on Derry’s Christmas illuminations.

Thousands, young and old, are expected to pack Guildhall Square for the annual event

Santa will be joined by children’s animation rescue dogs Paw Patrol.

The event will also feature live music on stages in Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place, pantomime figures and live reindeer.

Santa will arrive by fire engine to switch on the lights at 7.15pm before flying back to the North Pole with his reindeers and sleigh.

The reindeers will spend the afternoon in the Peace Garden on Foyle Street where youngsters can visit them between 3.00pm and 6.00pm.

And the advice is to wrap up warm.

With rain expected to ease up late this afternoon temperatures are forecast to dip as low as 4 degrees for the switch-on.

Photo shows the thousands who turned out to greet Santa for last year's switch-on.