Last night Doctor Who star Matt Smith used his Sonic Screwdriver to switch on the Cardiff Christmas Lights before a crowd of 15,000 in the city’s Civic Centre, marking the start of festivities for Cardiff, The Christmas City.
The Time Lord took a break from filming his second series of Doctor Who in the city to put the sparkle into the Welsh capital along with his assistant Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond, and her screen husband Rory Williams played by Arthur Darvill. Wishing the capital a “very Merry Christmas”, Matt Smith said: “It’s a real honour to be asked to switch on Cardiff’s Christmas Lights because we’ve had a brilliantly warm welcome from the city and you’ve made us feel at home.” Karen loved Cardiff, she said: “for the great shopping”, and promised the audience of Doctor Who fans that the monsters in the new series, which will be aired in April 2011, would be the scariest yet.
The big switch on took place on King Edward VII Avenue at 7.40pm, after the crowds had been entertained from 6.30pm by children’s favourite Bob The Builder and his sidekicks Wendy and Spud, with music from soul band Supernatural, and compères Real Radio Breakfast Show presenters Jagger and Woody. And BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammad introduced the Doctor Who team to the stage for the big switch on.
Last night was also the opening night for the 10th Cardiff Winter Wonderland, the city’s ever-popular frozen attraction which creates a fantastic seasonal atmosphere around the Admiral Open Air Ice Rink.
Nigel Howells is the Council’s Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture. He said: “It was fantastic to see such a huge turnout for the start of our Christmas celebrations. Doctor Who has become synonymous with Cardiff, and it was great that the main characters were able to be with us to launch the lights, shopping and attractions that make up Cardiff, the Christmas City.”
Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland features The Admiral Open Air Ice Rink, Ice Café Bar and John Lewis Wheel over more than 50 days of seasonal cheer. The 10th year of the event runs from November 10 to January 3, and tickets for Cardiff’s number one Christmas attraction are now on sale and can be purchased from Ticketline UK on 029 20 230 130.
Ceri Assiratti, People Services Manager for Admiral said: “We’re delighted to be involved with Cardiff’s Open Air Ice Rink this year. It really is a ‘must do’ event for the city on those chilly winter days and nights. Our headquarters in Capital Tower overlook the attraction and I know our staff and their families will be heading down to enjoy some festive fun on the ice.”
Cardiff The Christmas City also boasts fabulous shopping throughout the city and in the Winter Fairs around St John’s St. and in the Castle Quarter, and there is the traditional Calennig celebration on New Year’s Eve when the Family Fire Show returns before live music from T Rextacy heralds the dawn of 2011.
For further details about all activities in Cardiff The Christmas City visit www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com
