Snow is forecast on Thursday November 25 outside Douglas Town Hall when the Christmas decorative lighting is switched on by His Worship the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Ritchie McNicholl, JP. The festivities begin at 6pm when Santa arrives in his grotto in the Ridgeway Street garden area adjacent to the Town Hall; from 6.30pm there will be seasonal music from Douglas Town Band along with supporting sounds from 3FM and guest appearances by cast members of ‘Cinderella’, this year’s pantomime at the Gaiety Theatre. At 7pm Christmas in the capital begins officially when His Worship switches on the decorative lighting and snow begins to fall in Ridgeway Street. A lantern parade organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council will then set off from King Street and make its way through the centre of town to the Villa Marina Gardens. Council Leader David Christian said: ‘These are challenging times for traders and the Council is determined to offer its fullest support by creating a festive family atmosphere that will attract visitors to the town and encourage people to shop locally.’ Motorists are advised that the section of Ridgeway Street between Lord Street and Victoria Street will be closed to traffic on November 25 between 6 and 10pm. November 25 also marks the start of pre-Christmas Thursday late-night shopping in Douglas. In addition, there will be free parking in Douglas Borough Council’s car parks at the Bottleneck, Lord Street and Shaw’s Brow (level 3) on pre-Christmas Thursday evenings from 5pm beginning November 25, all day Saturday December 4, 11 and 18, and Sundays as usual. There will also be free parking on designated sections of Douglas Promenade from 9.30am to 9pm every day from December 4, 2010 to January 2, 2011. Parking will not be permitted in this area between the hours of 9.00pm and 9.30am Ends