Christchurch will welcome the start of the festive season when the Mayor switches on the town’s Christmas lights at five o’clock on Saturday.
A full day of activities has been arranged in the centre of Christchurch, offering food, music and entertainment for families and visitors throughout the afternoon.
Food will be available from a range of vendors including Clark’s Kitchen, Cheeky Fox Churros, Smokey Mose, Amerleys, Paella España, The Hot Dog and Doughnut Man, Pizzamo and Bonds Catering Co, with the Thomas Tripp Bar providing a licensed bar for the event.
Children’s fairground rides from William Cole and Son amusements will be set up, and Bournemouth Goats will offer a small petting area.
Urban Displays will bring an MTB stunt show along with a merchandise stand, while Smart Amusements will have light up toys for sale.
Santa’s Sleigh is due to appear and visitors can also meet characters including the Grinch, Olaf and the Elf on the Shelf, along with guests linked to Beauty and the Beast. Organisers say there may even be a snow machine in use during the afternoon.
Craft stalls such as April Star Jewellery will join charities including Macmillan Caring Locally, RNLI, Untapped Arts, the Carnival Committee and New Forest for Ukraine.
The day aims to bring residents together in the run-up to Christmas, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy food, explore stalls and watch live displays before the lights are switched on.
Traffic wise, High Street from its junction with Fountain Roundabout to its junction with Castle Street will be closed to all vehicles with no parking no waiting at any time and no loading / unloading at any time (except permitted vehicles).
Additionally, on Millhams Street from its junction with Castle Street to its junction with High Street there will be the revocation of one way traffic flow, to become two way (to maintain vehicular access provision). Residents can access throughout the day as normal using the exit onto Castle Street as an entrance and exit throughout the day.
It is envisaged that these arrangements will be required on 22nd November 2025 from 05:00 until 23:59.
Here’s the full schedule to help you plan your day:
11:00 – Uke Box Glory
11:45 – Highcliffe Players
12:30 – Batala Samba Band
12:50 – Christchurch and District Town Band
1:25 – Batala Samba Band
1:40 – The Regent
2:30 – Nia Nicholls
3:30 – Batala Samba Band
3:45 – Acoustix
4:45 – Batala Samba Band
4:55 – Christmas Lights Switch-On
5:00 – We Are Robot
7:00 – Event Closes
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