Start the festive season with Northampton’s Christmas Lights Switch On

Visitors can enjoy a bumper schedule family fun organised by Northampton Town Council, including a wide variety of live stage performances hosted by local personality John Griff, festive themed kids arts and crafts from The Wild Tribe and Lemonpop Workshops, storytelling sessions aboard a Northampton Transport Heritage festive red bus, the Christmas Silent Disco, gift stalls, a yuletide bar and more.

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

The big switch-on takes place at 4.55pm, when the Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Jane Birch will be joined on stage by Santa and a host of famous female sports stars from the town and county. Entertainment continues until 6pm, with a festive finale performance from The Funk Odyssey Party Band, performing hits from the golden era of funk, soul and disco with some festive favourites thrown in for good measure.

Anyone looking to pick up some Christmas gifts will find local produce and crafts on offer, alongside a range of community and charity stalls. The VandB Festive Bar will also be serving up warming mulled wine and speciality beers.

Walkabout artists will spread a little Christmas magic around the square and Santa will be on his sleigh collecting donations for the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket, which raises money for various local charities.

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, which will illuminate the five large spruce trees around the town centre and the decorative lights in the main streets. The town council is upgrading and expanding the lights each year and we hope that residents and visitors enjoy the cheerful atmosphere.

“The switch on event promises to be a day of festive fun for all the family, kicking off a programme of Christmas activities in the town which we’re supporting alongside our partners West Northamptonshire Council and the Northampton Town Centre BID.

“We’re also very excited that we’ll be joined by some special guests from the world of women’s sport, who have really put Northampton on the map recently with their inspiring achievements.”

The Northampton Town Centre 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, supported by the town council, 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

Listeners can also tune into a 24-hour Christmas Radio station throughout December. Operated by NLive Radio on 106.9FM and sponsored by the BID, the station will be playing back-to-back Christmas songs.

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

The large-scale 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

Follow Northampton Town Council on Facebook or Instagram for further updates about the Christmas Lights Switch On event, or visit the town council’s website: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/switchon