Oooh, good to hear that Despicable Me 2 is good - we are hoping to see it while in Florida as a "time out" option one afternoon/evening. (As in, relaxing quiet time - not punishment time).
I have started looking at Pantos, and pondering whether to try and book one this year. DD will be big enough, and we could either go as small family here or big family group near my/DH parents (there should be 2 options there) - but that would require serious organisation. (Might see what's on, book for ourselves and tell others so they can book the same performance if they want, and we can meet up before/during/after - but I don't have to be responsible for everyone booking or paying or handing out tickets.....). But she might realise we have Jedward in our city - ugh.
We have never gone to the lights switching on -it's not really a big thing and lots of waiting around. DD much prefers something like coming to see the "live crib" the week before Christmas and then enjoying a babycinno from the coffee shop while watching lots of people rather than having to deal with them pushing and shoving on the streets.