Celebrate Christmas In Cumbria: Christmas Lights Switch-On Events
Here at the Guide headquarters, our little elves have been busy putting together a round up of all the fantastic Christmas light switch-on events in Cumbria.
Egremont:
Christmas elves, a giant snow globe, and a visit from Santa – it can only mean one thing: Egremont’s Christmas Wonderland is back.
Following bad weather last year which forced the event to be cancelled, organisers have promised this year’s Christmas lights switch on is going to be bigger and better than ever.
The family filled fun day will kick off on November 27 with traditional carols sung by one of the local primary schools accompanied by Egremont Town Band.
Local singer, Ben Rowland will be getting the crowd in the festive spirit as well as the Step by Step Dancers who will be putting on a memorable performance. Audiences will be treated to a preview of this year’s pantomime – Cinderella, performed by the cast of Whitehaven Theatre Group, while Spiderman, a Star Wars Storm Trooper and a mob of meerkats will be on hand to greet excited children.
Finally, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to see Santa in his grotto. Finish off the day by watching the spectacular fireworks and having a picture taken inside the giant snow globe which will be in place from 1pm.
Switching on the lights is the main event and will take place later on in the day at 4:30pm.
Whitehaven:
Whitehaven will be awash with festive spirit this November as the town prepares to switch on its Christmas lights.
Local lad and The Voice finalist, Jolan has the important task of flicking this year’s Christmas lights switch on Sunday November 20 before entertaining crowds at the Solway Hall.
The annual festive extravaganza will feature the usual fairground, CFM stage and various traders and vendors while children will have the chance to meet their favourite princesses and superheroes including Catain America and Superman
As The Whitehaven Guide went to print, organisers were discussing the possibility of bringing Santa’s reindeers into the town.
And that’s not all – families can ‘get their skates on’ as an ice rink is also set to be brought into the town for around four to six weeks over the Christmas period.
The Christmas lights will officially be turned on at 5pm.
Carlisle:
Kicking off with the Christmas lights switch-on on this year is Carlisle which will take place on November 20. Carlisle City Council have been busy organising yet another magical event, which will no doubt get even the biggest of scrooges’ into the wondrous spirits of the season.
This year’s lights extravaganza will take place between 2pm and 5:30pm and will see the city centre transformed into a spectacle of excitement as hundreds of locals and visitors step out to enjoy the first taste of the Christmas celebrations.
Celebrity acts will join local talent groups and performers on a city centre stage, providing a real community feel to the event. Last year’s star studded event welcomed Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro to carry out the all important task of lighting up Carlisle and this year is set to be even better.
As the Carlisle Guide went to print, celebrity acts and other preparations were still being arranged. Keep an eye on our website for updates.
Brampton:
Brampton is about to undergo its Yuletide makeover as the town prepares to switch on its Christmas lights.
On Sunday November 27 from 3pm – 6pm, Brampton’s Christmas Light Extravaganza will draw hundreds of people into the town to see in the start of the seasonal celebrations.
Following on from last year’s spectacular which welcomed Santa Claus, the three kings, and of course, their trusty flock of camels, organisers have once again pulled out all the stops.
The afternoon celebrations will include entertainment from: Cheeky Charlie, Brampton Silver Band, Brampton Primary School Choir and much more until the events big finale at 6pm.
A procession will set off from the Showfield car park at 4:45pm and will feature Brampton Primary School’s nativity group. Crowds will be treated to Mary riding in on her donkey along with the three kings upon their Camels, followed by the man himself, Santa and his herd of friendly reindeer.
Following the light switch on at 5pm, Santa will be in his grotto eager to meet and greet all the children with an early Christmas present.
There will be free refreshments available in the Moot hall as well as a raffle.
Wigton:
Wigton town will be buzzing with Christmas cheer as the annual lights switch on gets underway.
From 10am on Sunday November 27, the quaint market town will be bustling with excitement as the start of the Christmas season is officially marked.
Back for another round of festive fun, organisers have been busy arranging a family-fun filled day complete with live music from X Factor finalist, Andrea Faustini who will no doubt put on quite the performance, as well as other local acts.
Market Stalls selling a selection of locally made crafts and produce will line High Street, while a mini zoo featuring: meerkats, spiders and creepy crawlies will have little ones’ amazed.
Visitors will also be treated to various seasonal spectacles including an elf parade, while Father Christmas will be on hand to greet excited children. And that’s not all – mad scientist, Professor Pumpernikel will be showing off his explosions while a traditional funfair will be in place on Market Hill car park.
Wigton Town Clerk, Alison Dodd, said: ““Preparations are going well, this is our fifth year of having as much on as we do now, we start thinking about what we’re going to have on in February and the event isn’t until November.”
“The first year we had put on such a good show and it was such a success with lots people coming that we really couldn’t go backwards. It’s a really good event for Wigton.”
Lights will be turned on at approximately 5:30pm.
Workington:
Workington is getting into the spirit of things, with an all-out Christmas Festival, which will take place on Saturday December 3.
The event kicks off at 10am, with a full schedule of entertainment throughout the day.
Pick up some stocking fillers at the Christmas market and take a festive selfie in the Selfie Booth located in the town centre. There will be plenty going on around the town, from puppet shows and a festive umbrella parade, to a craft fair at the Carnegie Theatre; selling lovely handmade products made locally.
The main stage will see performances from an excellent line up of artists, including: Ezili Dantor, Cindy and the Bullets and successful tribute band, Abba Forever. The festival will come to a head at 6pm, when the Town Mayor, Cllr Joan Wright, will be joined by Abba Forever to switch on Workington’s Christmas Lights and mark the opening of the festive season.
Maryport:
Head to Maryport on Saturday November 26 for an afternoon of fun and entertainment at this year’s Christmas light switch-on.
At 5pm the Town Mayor, Linda Radcliffe will oversee as local children officially turn on the lights. This year, more Christmas lights than ever will illuminate the town, with a special display and Christmas tree at the Maryport Cottage Hospital.
Local rhythm and blues band, The Misfitz, will be headlining the outdoor entertainment, which will also include performances from local schools and organisations. Children will find plenty of entertainment in the Town Hall, with face painting, glitter tattoos and hair and nail decorating, as the adults keep warm with the free hot drinks, mince pies and mulled wine.
Those who have been good this year will get the chance to meet Father Christmas, so be on your best behaviour and don’t forget your Christmas list!
Cockermouth:
The Cockermouth Christmas countdown officially begins on Sunday 20th November, with the Christmas Light switch-on.
The event is set to be a full day of entertainment, commencing at 2pm, when Main Street will be lined with fun fair rides and Christmas stalls selling seasonal goods, from crafts and gifts to festive foods, all to raise money for local charities. While you Christmas shop, the younger ones can visit Santa in his grotto for an early Christmas treat.
Cockermouth Music Centre Band will kick off the live entertainment, followed by performances from local artists and organisations, leading up to 5pm, when the main event will take place. Cllr Sam Standage, the Town Mayor, will be joined on stage by local children to help the turning on of the lights. The town will celebrate the start of the season, with a performance from Wigan rock and roll band, Boomin’ whose return to Cockermouth is set to get the crowds jumping.
If you’re still not feeling the Christmas spirit, the return of Taste Cumbria’s Cockermouth Christmas Market will complete the build up to Christmas. Taking place in Cockermouth on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th December, the two day event – not to be missed by foodies – will have the very best of the county’s food and drink on offer. Perfect for some Christmas menu inspiration and a chance to try some delicious seasonal street food. Keep warm as you browse with freshly brewed coffee and traditional spiced wine that will have you feeling merry and bright!
Keswick:
After all of last year’s rain, Keswick is determined that this year, Christmas will not be a wash out!
Celebrations kick off early, at 10am on Friday 18 November, when a Christmas food and gift fair will bring Market Square to life. At 4pm, performances from Keswick School Jazz Band and St Herbert’s School Choir will get everyone in the swing of things, before Santa switches on the first set of lights in Packhorse Court.
The crowds will then gather in Market Square for live music from local performers, including the Committed to Rock Choir. Local school children will take part in a special lantern parade through the town centre, finishing at the Rotary Club Tree of Light. Cast members from the highly anticipated Theatre by the Lake Christmas performance, The Emperor and the Nightingale, will then join Keswick Mayor, Cllr David Burn, to officially turn on the lights. Let the festivities begin!
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