THOUSANDS of glittering bulbs will brighten the skies around Bluewater from next week. A stunning array of glittering Christmas decorations will be switched on next Thursday as part of a festival of events taking place throughout the shopping centre.

Bluewater's Festival of Lights will feature a range of performers throughout the centre, a display from a group of young ice skaters to mark the opening of the outdoor ice rink and a Santa's grotto inside a 30ft tree filled with animatronic characters.

The lights will be turned on at 7pm. The Festival of Lights follows on from the start of extended Christmas opening hours which will see Bluewater's 330 stores open until 10pm on weekdays up until Christmas.