Colchester Christmas lights switch-on coming next week

Thousands of people will gather to the city centre on Wednesday, November 13, for an evening full of festive and fun entertainment. 

The event begins with a huge parade down the High Street, where lanterns and larger-than-life puppets will put on a show for families looking to get into the festive spirit.

The evening's centrepiece will take place at Lion Walk shopping centre, where a captivating lights show will take place to mark the moment the city’s Christmas lights are switched on for 2024.

There will be entertainment on offer from 5.30pm onwards involving live music from Jupiter Ray – the band which took Sam Ryder to stardom – whilst Snow White will be on stage with special guests from the Headgate Theatre.

Colchester Has Talent winner, 12-year-old Ivy May, will also be performing whilst bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics, Lewis Richardson, will appear on stage alongside the set from the Mercury Theatre’s pantomime as part of the big switch-on.

When the switch is finally flicked for the Christmas lights, onlookers will be dazzled by an Aurora Borealis light display which will fill the night sky over Colchester city centre.

Lion Walk centre manager Martin Leatherdale said: “Christmas is always a highlight in the calendar for Colchester city centre and this year promises to be extra special.

“Christmas 2024 kicks off with an incredible evening of entertainment in Lion Walk Shopping Centre, with Sam Ryder’s former local band, the incredibly talented Jupiter Ray, plus appearances from some huge names that families are going to love, such as Headgate Theatre’s cast of Snow White, Frozen’s Elsa, Anna and Olaf, the cast from musical Elf, the Grinch and Bluey, and the chance to meet the biggest superstar of them all – Father Christmas.

“All this will create a fabulous night of family entertainment for Colchester’s Christmas light switch and the breathtaking Aurora Borealis light display will be an incredible highlight.”