Wilmslow Christmas Lights Switch-On

Wilmslow Town Council is delighted to announce the arrangements for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On, taking place on Saturday 15th November.

The festive celebrations will begin at 10am with the opening of the Markets on Alderley Road.

From 12pm to 3.30pm, families can enjoy free lantern-making workshops on Hawthorn Lane, where families can get creative and craft a festive lantern to take to the switch-on later in the afternoon.

From 2pm onwards, our ever-popular compere Erik Garner will host a packed programme of live entertainment from the Christmas Stage near Bank Square.

This year’s line-up includes performances from:

Stagecoach

Rock Choir

DATS (performing Sleeping Beauty at Wilmslow Leisure Centre in December)

TEMPO (performing Sister Act at Wilmslow Leisure Centre in March)

Wilmslow High School Jazz Band

Wilmslow High School Choir

Wilmslow Academy Primary School Choir

Due to current Government restrictions on the free cross-border movement of animals potentially impacted by the ongoing Blue Tongue Virus outbreak, the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, that have visited Wilmslow with Father Christmas for many years, are unable to attend. As the only free-range reindeer herd in the UK, the Town Council has always been reassured by the very high welfare standards offered by the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre and are not prepared to compromise on this vital consideration.

It is with regret therefore that the Reindeer Parade will not take place this year.

Children should be reassured, however, that Father Christmas will still be in the town for the event, and that flying reindeer are unaffected by the Government restrictions so will be flying as usual on Christmas Eve.

At around 5pm, following the big countdown at Bank Square, Father Christmas will be joined by special guests the Grinch and Cindy Lou to officially switch on Wilmslow’s Christmas lights.

The 3D stand-in bauble in Bank Square and walk-through Christmas arch along Alderley Road will return for the 2025 festivities and the display along Alderley Road further enhanced by exciting new lights funded by the Town Centre businesses.

Throughout the day, many town centre businesses will host pop-up stalls outside their premises, offering a range of festive refreshments and treats.

Key Timings for Saturday 15th November:

10am: Markets open on Alderley Road.

12pm to 3.30pm: free lantern-making workshops on Hawthorn Lane.

2pm onwards: Live entertainment from the Christmas Stage near Bank Square.

5pm (approximately): Big countdown to the lights switch-on at Bank Square.