Female sports stars to switch on Northampton’s Christmas lights this weekend

2025 saw six Women’s Rugby World Cup matches played at the cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, while the Northants Steelbacks Women finished top of League Two (North) in the Cricket One Day Cup this season. Northampton Town Football Club Women are currently playing in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands.

Cobblers Midfielder Ellie Aston will join Beth Ascott and Emily Carpenter from the Steelbacks, along with Daisy Hibbert-Jones, the captain of Loughborough Lightning – an elite level rugby team that plays all of its Premiership Women’s Rugby home games at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, as part of an innovative partnership with Northampton Saints. Together with Santa Claus, the Mayor of Northampton and Panto Stars, they will be on stage at 4.55pm on Saturday, to build the excitement ahead of the big switch on at 5pm.

Councillor Keith Holland-Delamere, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: "We can't wait to start the Christmas season in Northampton with the lights switch on, and we’re very excited that we'll be joined by these special guests from the world of women's sport, who have really placed Northampton on the map recently with their inspiring achievements."

Ellie Aston said: “It’s fantastic to be involved in this year’s Christmas Lights Switch alongside other fellow female sports players who are proudly representing the town and putting women’s sports in the spotlight.”

Daisy Hibbert-Jones added: “After an incredible summer of women’s rugby in Northampton, with several World Cup matches played at cinch Stadium Franklin’s Gardens, switching on the town’s Christmas lights feels like a really positive way to end the year.”

Visitors can enjoy a bumper schedule of free family fun organised by the town council between 12 – 6pm, with live stage performances hosted by local personality John Griff between midday and 4pm, including the Dholvibes Drummers, Breakdancing Elves, the Starlight Sisters, the Nene Valley Community Band and a Northampton College Performing Arts students showcase.

Then at 4.15pm, Royal & Derngate panto stars from 'The All New Adventures of Peter Pan' will take to the stage, with CBeebies presenter George Webster leading a cast chat, followed by a preview performance of The Deco's ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at 4.30pm, featuring EastEnders legend Todd Carty.

Following the switch on, the Funk Odyssey party band will play a 45 minute headline set at 5.15pm, entertaining the crowds with soul and disco classics from across the decades, plus a few festive favourites to get everyone into the Christmas spirit.

Off stage, there will be plenty of free festive themed kids arts and crafts from Lemonpop Workshops, Alfie the Elf and The Wild Tribe, storytelling sessions aboard a Northampton Transport Heritage festive red bus and Christmas Silent Disco sessions, with slots still available at 12.30 (SEND session), 1.30 and 2.30pm (all bookable via the town council’s website).

Walkabout artists will spread a little Christmas magic around the square, along with free facepainting and balloon modelling, while Santa will be on his sleigh collecting donations for the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket, to raise money for various local charities.

Anyone looking to pick up some Christmas gifts can find bespoke and handmade products on offer from a range of stallholders, who will be selling alongside The Creative Place Mini Christmas Makers Market. VandB Northampton will also be serving up warming mulled wine and speciality beers at their Yuletide Bar.

The big switch on kicks off a programme of Christmas activities in Northampton, supported by the town council and delivered by West Northamptonshire Council and the Northampton Town Centre BID.

The BID’s Grosvenor Centre Grotto launches on the 22nd November alongside the switch on, where children can meet Santa for a small fee of £2 per family, with all proceeds split between the Northamptonshire Toy Library and Rockin' Roadrunner charities.

The grotto is open between 10.30am - 4pm on the 22nd, and then at the same times every Saturday and Sunday in December prior to Christmas Day, and on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December. Tickets can be booked by visiting the BIDs website: www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/christmas/santas-grotto

Then from the 4th December, a real, covered ice rink will bring festive sparkle to Northampton Market Square, with daily sessions until 4th January, offering residents and visitors the chance to enjoy an unforgettable winter experience whatever the weather.

The largescale ice rink is being delivered by West Northamptonshire Council in partnership with Northampton Town Council, Northampton Town Centre BID and Discover Northamptonshire. To book tickets, please visit The Old Savoy Theatre's website: www.theoldsavoy.co.uk/ice-skating

Visit the town council’s website to see the full timetable for the Christmas Lights Switch: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/switchon