Christmas Lights Switch-On Events Across Norfolk in 2019
Published date: November 2019
The 2019 festive season is almost upon us and around Norfolk plans are being made for FREE Christmas lights switch-on events and celebrations. Becoming more elaborate year on year, with special guests including TV and radio personalities and Father Christmas himself, there are many exciting events being organised across the region that are sure to be filled with fun and festive cheer.
Whether you’re Yule Tide-obsessed and love this time of year or just fancy an excuse to sip on mulled wine, watch some fireworks and eat copious mince pies, here are the all-important details of when and where Christmas lights will be switched on in Norfolk.
Wednesday 13th November 2019 at 6.30pm - Holt
Join in with this spectacular event in Holt on Wednesday 13th November 2019 from 5.00pm. This year the hosts for the evening will be Olly Day and Helen McDermott, who have both generously volunteered their time. Holt is one of the counties prettiest towns all year round but during the festive season it transforms into something quite spectacular. Thousands of fairy lights are placed along the gables, gutters and roofs of buildings throughout the town; the Christmas lights are a magical sight to behold. Enjoy live entertainment, an annual pantomime horse race and a variety of craft, gift, food and drink stalls.
The main event – Christmas light switch-on at 6.30pm shortly followed by a spectacular firework display that will be visible from the high street and surrounding areas.
Thursday 14th November 2019 at 7.00pm - Norwich City Centre
Christmas officially begins in Norwich on Thursday 14th November 2019 when thousands of people gather for the annual and hugely popular Christmas light switch-on in the city. The fun starts at 5.15pm when Father Christmas and his sleigh leave Norwich Cathedral and travels to City Hall. The journey will take him via Tombland, Queens Street, Bank Plain, London Street and Gaol Hill. Between 6.00pm and 7.30pm at City Hall - Bad Santas, Framtastics and Norwich Theatre Royal Community Choir will take to the stage.
7.00pm – switching on of the city centre Christmas lights at City Hall.
The Tunnel of Light will be back this year and will be going live the same time as the lights in the city at 7.00pm.
Saturday 23rd November 2019 - Burnham Market
A full day of fun and entertainment with world food stalls selling hot food, street entertainment, Rob Chandler and the North Norfolk Radio team, children’s funfair and then the Christmas light switch on – time to be confirmed.
Saturday 23rd November 2019 at 5.15pm - Diss
Commencing at 2.30pm on Saturday 23rd November 2019, Diss Christmas lights switch-on takes place in the town’s Market Place. Check out the festive delights including meeting the panto cast from Robin Hood and live music performances from Joe Aiken, Groovapolitan, Ramblers Ceilidh Band, Ellen Fairey and carol singing from local school children. Magician Ali Shazam will be there throughout the day to entertain and there will be face painting and fun fair festivities at Mere’s Mouth. Local radio station Park Radio will be hosting the event and a vintage fire engine from Bressingham Steam Museum will be delivering Santa along Mere Street to the Diss Market Place for the 5.15pm switch-on. Why not pay a visit to Santa’s grotto during the afternoon to meet the big man himself? There will be a variety of food and drink stalls and lots of opportunities to kick start your Christmas shopping, with most shops staying open until late.
The grand switch-on will take place in Diss at 5.15pm.
Sunday 24th November 2019 at 4.30pm - Downham Market
The fun and festivities start at 2.00pm in the centre of Downham Market and include a Santa’s Grotto, funfair rides, stalls, artisan craft fair and a stage featuring local talent and school choirs.
The big Christmas light switch-on will take place in Downham Market at 4.30pm.
Sunday 24th November 2019 at 5.00pm - Gorleston-on-Sea
Gorleston High Street Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Sunday 24th November 2019 at 5.00pm and will also include a firework display at 6.00pm. Enjoy fun rides, attractions, entertainment and food and drink stalls and pay Santa a visit in his grotto in Fusion Hairdressers in the town.
Sunday 24th November 2019 - Dereham
The town’s Christmas lights switch on is due to be held on Sunday 24th November 2019. Residents and visitors are welcome to join in with the event which includes stalls, entertainment and more.
Sunday 24th November 2019 - Mundesley
Mundesley’s Christmas light switch-on, street party and fair takes place on Sunday 24th November 2019. The event will run from 3.00pm to 6.00pm and will include games, a funfair, food stalls and mulled wine and live entertainment from Mundesley Choir.
Thursday 28th November 2019 at 7.00pm - King’s Lynn
Christmas officially begins in King’s Lynn when the lights are switched on – Thursday 28th November 2019. Head into the centre of King’s Lynn for fun and fabulous free festive entertainment. The fun will begin at 4.00pm and will include fairground rides in the Tuesday Market Place, festive food stalls, craft traders and live Christmas music in the bandstand. Take part in the light parade which will gather at 5.00pm at Stories of Lynn, leaving at 5.30pm and arriving in the Tuesday Market Place at 6.00pm.
The countdown to the light switch-on in King’s Lynn will begin at 7.00pm.
Friday 29th November 2019 at 7.00pm - Great Yarmouth
Christmas officially gets underway on Friday 29th November 2019 in Great Yarmouth when the Christmas lights are switched on. This fun evening of events includes live music and entertainment and the arrival of Father Christmas, who will assist with switching on the town’s Christmas lights. Start your Christmas Shopping too as most town centre shops including Market Gates will be open for an evening of late-night shopping.
The festive switch-on takes place in Great Yarmouth’s Market Place at 7.00pm followed by a rooftop firework display.
Friday 29th November 2019 at 6.30pm - Sheringham
Sheringham’s light switch-on will take place in the town from 5.00pm to 7.00pm. The lights will be turned on at 6.30pm and there will be an illuminated parade for prams, bikes, scooters and trikes. Meet alpacas and reindeer and watch live performances, browse the Christmas market and take advantage of many of the local shops staying open late.
Friday 29th November 2019 at 6.30pm - Aylsham
Aylsham will switch-on their Christmas lights on Friday 29th November 2019 at 6.30pm. The fun starts at 4.00pm and includes games, crafts, street food, Christmas tree festival in the church, dancing and singing from local schools, Christmas market in the Black Boys car park, Santa in Eclipse from 4.30pm and Pirate Joe live on stage. ITV weatherman Chris Page will be turning on the Christmas lights at 6:30pm.
Friday 29th November 2019 - Thetford
Enjoy a weekend of festive fun in Thetford starting with the Christmas lights switch-on on Friday 29th November 2019. The town’s Winter Wonderland celebrations will continue over the whole weekend and will include live music, entertainment, fun rides, crafts and gifts, food and drink stalls and the opportunity to see Father Christmas himself!
Saturday 30th November 2019 at 6.00pm - Cromer
The festivities begin at 4.30pm with a torch-lit procession from North Lodge Park from 4.30pm, finishing up at Cromer Church before the grand switch-on of Cromer Christmas lights in the town centre. There will be loads going on over 5 days including stalls, entertainment, street market and displays and a Christmas tree and nativity festival, with the switch-on of the Christmas lights at approximately 6.00pm.
Saturday 30th November 2019 at 6.00pm - North Walsham
Be a part of the annual lights switch-on in North Walsham at 6.00pm by the North Walsham Funday Queen. There will be events running throughout the day from 2.30pm including stalls, entertainment and plenty of food and drink.
Saturday 30th November 2019 - Fakenham
Fakenham Christmas Fayre and light switch one will take place in the town on Saturday 30th November 2019, 2.00pm to 6.00pm. There will be market stalls, entertainment and Santa’s Grotto to visit.
Saturday 30th November 2019 at 5.00pm - Wells-next-the-Sea
Wells-next-the Sea’s Christmas Tide Festival 2019 includes the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. Attracting thousands of visitors each year, this annual festival sees the arrival of Santa to the town from the sea. Friday 29th November 2019 at noon is when the festival starts, although the light switch-on isn’t until Saturday 30th. Admire all the decorated trees, visit the craft and gift stalls, listen to the piper and marvel at the entertainment which will include Norwich Samba Band, Charlie Cheesecake, the Fakenham Town Band, Punch and Judy, the Blakeney Old Wild Rovers, the Fakenham Ukes, Diddy Long Legs, the Bellfolk Handbell Ringers and ThunderMental. Take part in activities such as lantern making, face painting and model balloon making.
BBC Look East husband and wife presenters David Whiteley and Amelia Reynolds will be switching on the Christmas lights in the town at around 5.00pm.
Sunday 1st December 2019 - Hunstanton
Hunstanton Festive Funday, including the town’s Christmas light switch-on, takes place in Hunstanton on Sunday 1st December 2019. Starting at noon, Hunstanton will be extending a warm welcome to residents and visitors alike, for an afternoon of festive fun for the whole family. Enjoy entertainment, a giant walk-in snow globe, craft fair, Santa’s Grotto, funfair rides, food and drink stalls and more. Take part in the Grand Light Parade just after 4.00pm followed by the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Sunday 1st December 2019 at 5.00pm - Swaffham
The annual Christmas lights switch-on takes place in Swaffham on Sunday 1st December 2019. Between 12.00pm and 6.00pm there will be lots going on in the town including a funfair, entertainment, food stalls, live nativity and a Christmas market. The light switch-on will take place at 5.00pm and visitors will also get the chance to see Father Christmas.