Christmas Lights Switch On...in the Park!

With Christmas on the horizon, it's time to announce the annual Christmas Lights Switch On…in the Park!

Join us on Saturday 25th November from 11am-6pm at Becket's Park for a stocking-stuffed line up of festive fun for all the family. Scroll down for the Event Timetable.

Enjoy a day of live stage entertainment hosted by BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith, featuring a Christmas Variety Show including breakdancing and acrobatic elves, a sprinkling of Christmas Karaoke, music from The Nene Valley Community Band and The Starlight Sisters, plus The Deco Theatre's Panto preview, performances from Kristina Rihanoff's Bespoke Ballroom Dance & Drama Academy and Born to Perform, wrapped up with a festive finale from the Royal & Derngate Community Choir, led by renowned music director Gareth Fuller.

There will be a host of workshops and activities, Christmas silent disco tent, magical ice rink and rides, plus festive themed bar and stalls, support local 'Christmas Cheer' marquee, horse and carriage rides, magical family retreat area and the launch of our '12 Days of Christmas Festive Family Trail.'

Northampton Saints rugby and panto stars will join us as we countdown to the most magical time of the year! Ore Oduba, Wendi Peters and Bob Golding from the Royal & Derngate's 'Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs', along with Tyger Drew-Honey and Daisie-Belle from The Deco Theatre's 'Cinderella', will be joined on stage by Santa and the Mayor of Northampton ahead of the countdown with Saints Rugby star Alex Waller switching on the lights at 5pm.

PLUS...

YOU could be switching on Northampton's Christmas Lights this Saturday 25th Nov with Northampton Saints Rugby Star & local legend Alex Waller!

Plus WIN a Northampton Saints Rugby shirt signed by all the team!

ENTRY IS EASY PEASY! Simply visit the The Wild Tribe Festive Family Retreat on the day - everyone who collects our magical 12 Days of Christmas Trail Map from the marquee will receive a lucky ticket number which automatically enters you into the prize draw. Make sure you are in the audience at the stage from 4.45pm - the winner will be announced by BBC Radio Northampton's Bernie Keith shortly before the countdown to Christmas begins!

The 12 Days of Christmas Festive Family Trail | Northampton Town Council

Northampton Saints Player Alex Waller, said:

"The annual switch-on event is always an important date in the calendar for the Town, and having grown up in Northampton I am very proud to be involved this year. I'll be bringing my whole family along with me, and I can't wait to get the festive season up and running with everyone at Becket's Park."

Stalls in the Christmas Cheer Marquee will feature seasonal produce and gifts, along with local businesses and community groups, including Buddies of Becket's, University of Northampton and the The Air Ambulance. Enjoy face painting and balloon modelling alongside our cheeky elves and winter wonderland stiltwalkers. Plus, take a magical Horse & Carriage Ride around beautiful Becket's Park - jingle all the way! (Rides are FREE!)

Bars and food stalls will be selling plenty of festive food and drink, with town centre favourites VandB serving up warming Christmas tipples and the Northampton District Scouts hosting the fire pit, selling marshmallow skewers to raise funds for the organisation. Including Santina's Woodfired Pizza, Just Desserts donuts, waffles and yummy hot chocolate, Burgers/Hotdogs/Yorkshire Pudding Wraps, The Candy Van, Sweet Chimney Cake and more!

Throughout the afternoon, the Scouts Elves will be handing out our Christmas Goody Bags kindly sponsored by The Old Savoy - Home of The Deco Theatre.

Of course, no Christmas event would be complete without a visit from Santa himself, who will arrive on his sleigh, raising money for the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket, before helping to light up the town at 5pm.

On your journey to Becket's Park, visit 78 Derngate and take a look at the free exhibition of the Oxfordshire Craft Guild, along with artist Mel Beacroft's inspiring prints and paintings (for sale). The retail space is full of unique and exclusive products, perfect for Christmas pressie ideas and there will be mince pies and refreshments in the gallery for all who visit on the day overlooking beautiful Becket's Park! 10am - 5pm (Last entry to Charles Rennie Mackintosh's house is 4pm)

MAGICAL ICE RINK! Enjoy ice skating at this year's event! Whether you're a first timer or seasoned pro – join us to take a turn or two around the ice rink - sessions/entry is FREE! A large selection of various sized ice skates and skate aids for children will be available. From 11am – 6pm, allocation per session will be on a first come, first served basis. Please note, anyone who has any neck, back or joint issues or who are pregnant are advised not to take part.

The Festive Family Retreat: The Wild Tribe will be hosting the magnificent Family Retreat at this year's event. Come into our cosy hideout to retreat from the cold! Join the elf workshop - get crafting and colouring, read Christmas stories and pop in for some eco play and chillout time. Northamptonshire Central Library will be there to get you signed up to loan all the Christmas storybooks you could ever dream of and will be hosting Festive Rhyme Times and Christmas Tale Sessions with The Wild Tribe elves!

The 12 Days of Christmas Festive Family Trail: Get ready for enchanted adventures! Follow the map to uncover the magical 12 Days of Christmas themed clues displayed at various locations around the town centre to find symbols hidden in shops and businesses. Launching on 25th November - on until 1st January.

Festive Family Silent Disco: UPDATE: SOLD OUT (SEND sessions still available) There may be availability on the day on a first come, first served basis - please visit the disco tent to find out more.

Boombastic Events are hosting the disco tent at Becket's Park! Throughout the afternoon there will be three sessions with three channels to tune in to including Christmas Hits, Pop/Retro Hits and Kids Party & Singalong Songs. Tickets are FREE and available to book online, allocated on a first come, first served basis. Each session is 45mins - 1:30-2:15pm // 2:30-3:15pm // 3:30-4:15pm. There will also be a SEND Family Session at 12:30pm, please visit the website for more information on how to book for this session and the T&Cs. Dust off those dancing shoes and get ready to party this year's Switch On!

Book your silent disco session NOW via Eventbrite!

This year is unique. Due to regeneration works taking place throughout the town centre, the Christmas Lights Switch On 2023 will be at Becket's Park, providing the perfect festive atmosphere to celebrate this special time of year.

PARKING

There is plenty of parking close by at: Midsummer Meadow surface carpark, St John's multistorey carpark, Albion Place carpark. The above carparks are free for up to two hours on a Saturday. Please visit West Northamptonshire Council's website for more info: https://tinyurl.com/4jdwedf9

Limited parking is also available at the University of Northampton's Development Hub on Cliftonville Road (NN1 5FS) at a cost of £1 for the day. Payment is only available via the Ringo parking app.

Kindly supported by: The Old Savoy - Home of The Deco, Royal & Derngate, BBC Radio Northampton, Buddies of Becket's, The Wild Tribe, Northamptonshire Central Library, Boombastic Events Ltd, Rotary Club - Northampton Becket, Maintenance Services Electrical Ltd, Midshires Electrical & Lighting Ltd, West Northants Council, Northampton Saints, University of Northampton