City Christmas market to open with laser show

The laser show will be projected daily onto Southampton's Bargate

A city centre Christmas market is set to open with a street party featuring live music and a laser show.

The Southampton Christmas Market begins on Thursday with the 'Magic of Christmas' launch party at the Bargate from 16:00 GMT.

Councillor Christie Lambert, cabinet member for transport said: "Christmas is a magical time of year and sees a big rise in visitors to Southampton."

The free event, hosted by DJ Flash, will feature local choirs, street entertainers, live music and the switch-on of the Bargate laser show.

Stalls, bars and rides will be operating at Bargate and Above Bar, as well as in Guildhall Square.

Southampton City Council said it would reduce the price of the Southampton Weekend Park & Ride to £3 from 15 November to 4 January, to make access to the markets easier.

Lambert said: "I am delighted that we can help people to travel more affordably and more sustainably to take in all of the fun and excitement of Christmas in Southampton."

The 30-minute laser show will then be projected onto Bargate each evening at 17:00 GMT, with the markets running daily until 4 January, apart from on Christmas and New Year's Day.

The full details of the opening hours are available on the Southampton Christmas Markets website.