Get in the festive mood with the Christmas lights Switch-On event this Sunday

Christmas lights

If you are already feeling the Christmas vibe and looking to experience some festive fun this weekend, then you are in for a blast as we have a number of exciting activities from a rock school to a Snow White pantomime.

Stilt walkers will tip toe their way around St. Editha’s Square on Sunday, November 28 where all the action will emanate from, and bring lots of entertainment as Tamworth launches its countdown to Christmas in typical style with an afternoon to enjoy for the whole family.

Food stall holders camped up throughout Market Street and George Street will be offering visitors delicious grub to bite on as they wander through the town such as doughnuts, burgers, loaded fries, jacket potatoes, Indian food as well as a hog roast van.

The yearly Christmas lights extravaganza starts in the afternoon and looks to be a good one with Snow King and Queen stilt walkers, face painting plus live music by Gareth from Smooth Radio as the MC for the day.

The Christmas lights Switch-On event is one of the main attractions in Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events outstanding calendar of events.

The event typically draws thousands of people from all over Tamworth and surrounding areas.

The programming schedule for the day is as follows:

  • All Stars – 2:45pm – 2:55pm (10 minutes)
  • Steps Dance School – 3:15pm – 3:25pm (10 minutes)
  • Show White Panto – 3:45pm – 4pm (15 minutes)
  • Rockschool – 4:20pm – 4:30pm (10 minutes)
  • D-Day Darlings Juniors – 4:30pm – 4:45pm (15 minutes)
  • D-Day Darlings Trio – 4:45pm – 4:55pm (10 minutes)
  • Mayor and D-Days switch on the lights – 4:55pm - 5pm
  • D-Day Darlings Trio – 5pm – 5:15pm (15 minutes)
  • We are Angels projection – 5.30pm (Tamworth Castle)
  • The Snowman projection – 6pm (Tamworth Castle)

Making its debut this year, Tamworth Castle will be lit up with an animated We are Angels projection at 5.30pm by Tamworth arts group New Urban Era, showcasing this and previous years’ entries along with children's Christmas themed artworks.

We are also excited to extend the outdoor entertainment to the Castle Grounds with a short 20-30 minute showing of the festive animated movie The Snowman projected on the outside of the castle at 6pm.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “The Christmas lights Switch-On event is one that we look forward to all year round and over the years, the fantastic response to it has made it become a key feature in our lineup of events that lead to Christmas.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have been able to secure food traders, great entertainers and live music to start the festive season with a bang.”

Much like during our 2019 event, there will be a designated access area in St. Editha’s Square which will be controlled and managed by event stewards. This hard standing access area can be found at the south side of St. Editha’s Church on top of the raised embankment, and is reserved for visitors who have additional access needs.

Parking is free in council-run car parks and Ankerside Shopping Centre on Sundays. Please note charges apply to the NCP car park in Lower Gungate.

Toilets will be available in Ankerside until 4pm with additional toilets ordered to be put within St. Editha’s Square.

If you are a trader and would like to set up a stall as part of this year’s lights show, please email TARoutdoorevents@tamworth.gov.uk or contact Mark Kyte of Tamworth Lions by emailing him at mark.kyte@tamworthlions.org.uk.

For further information, please email Tamworth Borough Council’s Arts and Events team at TARartsdevelopment@tamworth.gov.uk or call on 01827 709314.