Northampton’s Christmas Lights Switch On. The Countdown is On!

The countdown to Christmas has begun! There is only one week to go before Northampton Town Council’s Christmas Lights Switch On. Join us from 2pm on the Market Square, Saturday 26 November, for an afternoon of festivities and fun for the whole family!

The Christmas line up begins with local musician Hannah Faulkner singing all your festive favourites, followed by Northampton’s own world-famous brass band, The Gus Band. The Bespoke Ballroom Dance & Drama Academy by Kristina Rihanoff will then take to the stage, followed by the Northampton Rock Choir making the perfect opportunity for a Christmas sing-along, before Father Christmas makes a very special appearance to switch on the lights at 5pm.

Panto stars including the hilarious Bob Golding, Dame Trott, from the Royal & Derngate’s Jack & the Beanstalk will be on stage chatting with our host, BBC Northampton’s Daisie Belle.

The full cast of The Deco’s Snow White will then perform a tantalising teaser of their Christmas Family Panto starring Britain’s Got Talent star Ashleigh Butler and her dog, Sully. “Hiss at the Wicked Queen, laugh at the comic Super Seven and fall in love with the beautiful and innocent Snow White.” Plus, a troop of breakdancing elves will be performing throughout the afternoon.

From 26 November, Northampton Town Council’s Mischievous Elf Trail begins! Keep your eyes peeled for Santa’s mischievous elves, hiding in 10 locations around the town! Download the Explore Northampton App now to take part and find what those cheeky elves have been up to. The app also features special festive activities to do at home, including creating your very own elf of mischief. You can download the app via the app store at http://onelink.to/6jdu9n

The Explore Northampton app will feature an interactive ‘Festive Event Map’ of Northampton’s Christmas events and activities over the holidays – your one-stop shop to plan festive fun for all the family.

Santa’s Grotto will open from 10.30am – 4pm on 26  November in Grosvenor Shopping Northampton. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Visit the Northampton BID website: www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/christmas

NLive Radio’s 24-hour Christmas station takes to the airwaves. Tune in from 26 November, online and on your smart speakers via https://nliveradio.com/christmas for Northampton’s very own Christmas soundtrack. The station will broadcast on 87.9FM from 12 December.

Visitors to Northampton town centre can enjoy free parking within all West Northants Council multi-storey and surface car parks on Saturday 26 November.

Keep up to date with all the latest festive news, line ups and events at www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/Christmas and follow @Northampton_TC and #NNChristmas on all social media platforms.

The 2022 festive programme has been compiled in partnership by Northampton Town Council and Northampton BID.