Christmas lights switch-on events near you

Santa at last year's The Brewery Quarter Christmas Event

With Halloween and Bonfire Night behind us and the colder weather beckoning, people are beginning to make way for a special someone in red to bring a little magic to the end of the year — no, not Mariah Carey.

Christmas is on its way but preparing for the festive season can be expensive.

So here is a list of some of the Christmas light switch-on events near you so you can plan some festive fun.

Brunel's SS Great Britain Christmas light switch-on takes place on 27 November

Bristol

Bristol has various Christmas lights switch-on events across the city.

City Centre: Bristol Christmas Market switches its lights on from 7 November – 23 December. There will over 50 stalls offering gifts and food, plus family entertainment and a bar.

Harbour: The SS Great Britain Christmas tree lights will be switched on on 27 November, with this year's theme "Golden Glow".

Brislington: Sandy Park Road Christmas light switch-on is organised by locals and traders in the area, which relies on community fundraising.

The event takes place on Saturday 6 December from 14.00-18.00 GMT.

Gloucestershire

As Gloucestershire is the home of the Cotswolds it's the perfect place to take the family for a festive winter walk before an evening switch-on event.

Gloucester Docks: Father Christmas will be at the docks ready to see the Christmas lights turn on. There will be festive music, mulled wine, hot drinks from the Food Dock on 13 November between 17.00 and 19.00.

Cheltenham: The Brewery Quarter Switch-On will have a festive silent disco and a special appearance from the Grinch on Saturday 22 November 2025 14.00 - 20.00.

Dursley: On the Saturday 29 November there will be mini reindeer rides, magical snow globes, and Santa's grotto for a festive afternoon at Cam's Christmas light switch-on.

A street in Burnham-On-Sea holds the title of Britain's 'most festive street.'

Somerset

Somerset homes are well known for their Christmas lights and decorations, with Trinity Close, in Burnham-On-Sea, named Britain's "most festive street".

Weston-Super-Mare: One of Weston's adorable beach donkeys will be at the Italian Gardens with a very special nativity guest on Saturday 15 November.

There will also be a parade to coincide with Weston's festive food festival at the Winter Gardens.

Yeovil: A festive craft market and live music will accompany Yeovil's Christmas lights switch-on for Saturday 22 November from 16.00 - 19.00 , with the light switch-on at 18.30.

Frome: The council's switch-on event will take place on Friday 22 November between 17.00 and 19.00.

Lantern artists Mel Day and Aliss Vaas are bringing their 'Winter Wonderland' lantern parade to town.

Wiltshire

Swindon: Lydiard Park will be offering live music, traditional carols and the chance to meet Swindon Wildcats' mascot Scratch as the Mayor of Swindon lights up the parks famous cypress tree. The event runs between 16.00 - 18.15 on 28 November.

Bradford-on-Avon: Live music is also being featured on at Westbury Garden on Friday 28 November between 16.00 - 20.00. There will also be a fairground, festive stalls, with the official countdown at 18.00.

Melksham: A Christmas market with seasonal stalls, fair rides, live music and Santa's Grotto can be found, with the Christmas lights switch on at 18.00, with fireworks to follow.