Hundreds of people celebrated the start of the holiday season with the annual festive light switch-on at Hackney Town Hall at the weekend.

Earlier in the day the square was lit up by handmade lanterns, made by families and older residents at workshops led by artist Emily Tracy.

Then at sunset Rabbi Roni Tabik was joined by Simon Marks School choir to celebrate the Jewish festival Hanukkah by lighting a custom-made 12 ft high Menorah, singing traditional songs and enjoying special Hanukkah donuts.

For entertainment pan band Panatonic played pop hits and festive favorites, and Hackney Music Service’s Junior Choir hosted a sing-along which saw the whole crowd joining in to sing ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’.

The Hackney Community Choir performed carols before the Christmas lights were finally switched on by the Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Clare Potter, who was joined by characters from the Hackney Empire panto Aladdin.