Press Release

25 October 2019

Get festive at the Christmas lights switch on

Come along and join in the festivities at the annual Christmas lights switch on in Fareham Town Centre on Sunday 24 November.

The theme will again be ‘A Victorian Christmas’ following the success of last year’s event with West Street lined with market stalls and activities between 10am and 6pm.

The family-friendly event will host reindeer, children’s activities, face painting, fun fair rides, gift stalls, festive food and drink and Father Christmas will also be making an appearance.

Street performers including stilt walkers, a roaming snow globe, a Victorian policeman and a chimney sweep will entertain the crowds throughout the day. Performers will take to the stage from 12.30pm, ahead of the countdown to the big Christmas lights switch on finale at 4.30pm.

Residents are being invited to get dressed up in Victorian dress for the event with a competition for Best Dressed Victorian. A winner will be chosen on the day and will be presented with a family ticket to Ferneham Hall’s panto, Beauty and the Beast.

Westbury Manor Museum will be part of the event with craft activities including make your own jam jar lantern, wooden decorations and peg dolls. Light up Victorian window boxes will also be placed in the windows of the museum.

Carols and dances will be performed by the Mandaleigh Studios at Holy Trinity Church in West Street between 12pm and 4pm, where there will also be some stalls and the chance to a make a Victorian Lantern with Crafty Makery.

There will be no fireworks and there will be a small charge for the fun fair ride, but activities such as face painting, craft activities and meeting the reindeer are free.

Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Sue Bell, said: “It will be a day packed full of festive entertainment for all the family. We have a fantastic finale planned and a big countdown to the Christmas lights being switched on – it’s a magical day in the Fareham calendar so come along and join in the fun.”

Find out more and check out the timetable of events at www.fareham.gov.uk/christmaslights.

ENDS