It’s that time again – Christmas is making an appearance in the shops and towns, cities and villages across the UK prepare to switch on their festive lights and ramp up the festive spirit. We’ve put together a guide for the light switch-on’s you’ll want to be at in 2019.
Leeds Light Switch On- 7th November at Victoria Garden, Christkindlemarkt November 8th Millenium Square
Leeds will kick off its huge ‘Make it Leeds this Christmas’ campaign with an event that is sure to put everyone in the festive mood. Music, special guests and live entertainment will all precede the climactic switching on of the lights. Leeds’ Christmas campaign will feature a number of special events and activities including the annual ‘Christkindlemarkt’ which is set to officially open on Friday 8th November at Millenium Square in perfect time for a weekend of Christmas shopping.
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Leeds Central Vicar Lane
Leeds Central
York Christmas Light Switch On- 14th November at York City Centre
Gather round at York city centre- voted the UK’s Most Festive City in 2017- on the 14th for the kick off of York’s Christmas Festival which runs until 22nd December. Soak up the medieval charm while you marvel at the sparking lights, and immerse yourself in the scent of mulled wine and delicious festive food. Keep your eyes and ears open throughout the city for more fun festive events including ice-skating at the Yorkshire designer outlet Winter Wonderland, and the Yuletide Village at Shambles Market.
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York Central Micklegate
York Central Layerthorpe
York Central
Leicester Light Switch On- 21st November in the city centre/clock tower
Join in the celebrations at Leicester city centre for a festive feast of award-winning street food, live entertainment dozens of seasonal spectacles as over 16,000 lights come to life as darkness falls. The official switch on and live entertainment will be taking place at Humberstone Gate from 5pm and from the Clock Tower, you can see the city’s impressive Christmas tree adorned with 2,000 lights and 900 baubles come to life. If you want to make a full day of it, head over to New Market Square from midday to meet up with friends and family and tuck into some great festive grub. A visit to Town Hall Square to see the enchanted Woodland Tales Christmas Tableau and traditional nativity scene is also not to be missed.
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Leicester Central
Leicester Hinkley Road
Liverpool Light Switch on- 15th November at Liverpool One
Liverpool city centre will be dancing in the streets this November in a huge Christmas party celebration which promises to put you in the festive spirit. Indulge in festive food, enjoy some cheesy tunes and marvel at Liverpool One’s amazing Christmas Tree which has proved a hit with the locals year after year. After you’ve had your fill of seasonal celebration, you’re in the perfect place to then make a start on your Christmas shopping. With many high street favourites to inspire you, you’ll have your shopping list ticked off in no time.
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Liverpool Central The Strand
Liverpool Central Exchange Street
Liverpool Central
Covent Garden, London Light Switch on- 12th November
With so many light switch-on events all across London, it can be hard to decide, however if you want to visit one of the most well known unique shopping and entertainment hubs in the capital, get yourself over to Covent Garden for their official light switch-on ceremony and see how they do Christmas lights. Take a selfie by their huge Christmas tree- the centrepiece of the evening- or grab a yummy cup of hot chocolate at the Piazza before gathering on the cobbles to watch this year’s special VIP guest (yet to be announced) push that all important button, plunging Covent Garden into an illuminated wonderland.
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London Covent Garden
London Farringdon
Edinburgh Light Night- The Royal Mile- 17th November- 4 January
The whole of Edinburgh will be lit up in a traditional ‘Light Night’ to remember this November. Hosted this year by Fourth Radio’s Arlene Stuart, this free event starting at 3:30 and going on into the evening will celebrate the start of the season with local choirs, performances from youth groups, festive fare and it’s rumoured that a certain member of Christmas royalty will be paying a “flying” visit to the Royal Mile too. The evening will come to a spectacular end as fireworks mark the official switch on of the lights.
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Edinburgh Central
Edinburgh Central Waterloo Place
Edinburgh Central Rose Street
Hull light switch on at Queen Victoria Square- 14th November
This year’s Hull Christmas celebrations will be kicked off at Queen Victoria Square this November by gold medal-winning paralympian, Sophie Carter. Local paralympic athlete Sophie, 15, represented Team GB at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi earlier this year will have the honour of pushing the ‘on’ button alongside the Lord Mayor Steve Wilson from the balcony of the City Hall. As well as special guest appearances, this year will see the return of the city’s 50ft tree, along with amazing street theatre performances.
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Hull Central
Hull South Cave
Oxford light festival- all across Oxford City 15-17th November
Instead of being a one night only event, the city of Oxford will be holding a whole Light Festival to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. Since 2009, the festival has been a staple in Oxford’s festive calendar and this year- it’s 10th year- there will be a massive 3 day programme of spectacular events, from exciting live performances to free interactive workshops, activities and bright exhibits for the whole family to get involved in. This is certainly a wintery festival not to be missed.
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Oxford Abingdon Road
Oxford Peartree
