Top Picks
Christmas Light Switch Ons
Find your local light switch on and celebrate with your community this Christmas.
There are so many light switch ons taking place from now until mid-December all across Cornwall. From Falmouth to Penzance, Saltash to St Ives, find your nearest community celebration below with carol singing, food and craft stalls, Santa’s grottos, lantern parades, live entertainment and plenty more to enjoy.
If we’re missing your local light switch on please send some information and an image to [email protected] and we’ll add it to the list!
1. Truro
Wednesday 20th November, 2019
Truro City of Lights is a breathtaking parade of lanterns, music and dance. The lantern parade starts at 6:30pm this year, with the switch-on of the Christmas Lights. Every year, large-scale lanterns tell a different story, set to the beat of percussion, music and dance. Truro schools and community groups come together with artists, musicians and dancers to entertain the crowds. More than 30,000 spectators line the parade route, which finishes on Lemon Quay. The experience of Truro City of Lights lantern parade will stay with you for a lifetime. It’s the most magical night of the year.
2. St Austell
Tuesday 26th November, 2019
St. Austell is proud to present its Christmas Light Switch On for 2019. This year will see the return of many of your favourites including Radio St. Austell Bay, the beautiful Fairground Organ, Victorian merry go round, To Life productions, Choirs, 4FS Dancers and more. Plus an appearance of Santa in Market House.
3. Falmouth
Thursday 28th November, 2019
Falmouth’s Christmas celebrations start when schoolchildren representing the town’s primary schools, gather on Events Square with decorations and colourful withy lanterns. They are joined by a community choir and band and of course Santa before processing through the town towards The Moor. Once on The Moor, each school sings a Christmas carol on the state-of-the-art-stage before the big switch-on. The Falmouth Christmas lights are switched on each year by a nominated community champion. This is a person or group who after a public vote, gets to switch on the lights for that year.
4. St Ives
Friday 29th November, 2019
Father Christmas will find his way into Royal Square around 7pm, for the countdown to the Christmas Lights Switch on. As the darkness is suddenly filled with hundreds of magical sparking lights, you can be sure that Christmas is really on its way.
5. Bodmin
Friday 29th November, 2019
Bodmin Christmas Lights Committee are again working with intoBodmin to build on the success of last year’s event. intoBodmin are excited to announce they’ll be working with the international video mapping company The Colour Project again, as well as local primary school children on a brand-new projection lightshow.
The projection is just one part of this incredible event, which will begin with a magical lantern and light procession, led by Piper Merv Davey, and will end with Bodmin Town Band and carol singers on Mount Folly. In between, there will also be a Christmas Grotto in Honey Street, and festive refreshments available on Mount Folly, as well as the Christmas light switch on.
6. Launceston
Fri 29th November, 2019
To celebrate the Christmas light switch on in Launceston, Lawrence House Museum, with the Mayor’s decorated parlour will be open from 12pm to 4pm, along with the Town Square Skate Rink from 3.30pm. Enjoy entertainment on the stage from 4pm with a street market in the town centre from 5pm. Santa will be arriving for the Big Christmas Light Switch On at 6.30pm before the St Mary Magdalene Church Christmas Tree Festival kicks off at 7pm. Launceston’s fabulous independent shops will also be staying open until 8pm so you can find great gifts for all the family.
7. Camborne
Friday 29th November, 2019
This year promises to be a real community event in Camborne, with a children’s lantern parade, Christmas tree festival and Christmas lights switch-on on the same day. The day’s programme will kick off with the Christmas produce market from 9am. Music and entertainment will start from 3pm with the Camborne Town Band followed by Holman Climax Male Voice Choir, stilt walkers and more. After the parade enjoy an am dram performance of A Camborne Christmas Carol before the light switch on at 6.30pm.
8. Helston
Friday 29th November, 2019
A fun-filled festive event for the whole family, with a wide variety of food & craft traders, live music (including Helston Town Band) in two locations, children’s and pony rides too! Santa will be in his grotto from 5pm and there will be fireworks and the official switch on at 7.30pm.
9. Newquay
Friday 29th November, 2019
This year’s Christmas event is set to be bigger and better than ever before, taking place across 3 days from 29th November – 1st December. There will be a licensed bar, food stalls, live music, and exciting entertainment The big man himself will also be making an appearance in his grotto with his elves. The light switch on and lantern parade will take place at 7pm on the 29th, followed by fireworks over Newquay Harbour at 8pm.
10. Hayle
Friday 29th November, 2019
Come along to Hayle Day Care Centre on the 29th November from 6pm for carols with Breage & District Silver Band. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm by Hayle Town Mayor, Clive Polkinghorne.
11. Carnon Downs
Saturday 30th November, 2019
Mulled wine, mince pies and a craft market from 5pm in Carnon Downs Village Hall, with Santa’s Grotto from 5.30pm in the Methodist Chapel and the tree switch on at 6pm. Plus musical entertainment and hot food in Main Street.
12. Liskeard
Saturday 30th November, 2019
Liskeard will be celebrating Christmas in a traditional Cornish way again this year with a very special Lights Up including a Christmas party, a wild hunt, a children’s trail around town and a chance for everyone to learn a bit of Cornish, singing and dancing.
13. Redruth
Saturday 30th November, 2019
As excitement mounts for the start of the procession, the crowds will be entertained by Freddy Zapp from BBC Radio Cornwall. From the very top of town the procession will finish at the Miner’s Statue, where there will be a LIVE countdown for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch On. Everyone will be invited to meet Father Christmas underneath The Miner’s Statue before being entertained by community choir Inglehearts.
Meet Nadelik and Lowen the Reindeer in Market Strand from 3pm to 5pm. Unlike all Father Christmas’ other reindeer, Nadelik and Lowen prefer the Cornish seaside to the North Pole, which is why they live at Feadon Farm. They will be visiting Redruth so please come and say hello.
14. Angarrack
Saturday 30th November, 2019
Angarrack Christmas Lights started a long time ago – in 1986, but really started to increase in complexity with the switch from bulbs to rope lights after the flooding of the village New Year 2003. There are a variety of lights – many of the lights are animated – and the sequence of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The main lights are designed and made in the village and are unique to Angarrack. Each year more lights are added. Most of the lights are funded by donations and fund raising events organised by the hard working Angarrack Christmas Lights Committee and includes duck races, treasure hunts, BBQs and dances.
15. Padstow
Saturday 30th November, 2019
The delightful Christmas lights of Padstow will be switched on at 6pm on Saturday the 30th November. To help get everyone in the Christmas spirit, Padstow Carollers will be singing on the band stand before the switch on. The Christmas lights in Padstow are always lovely around the harbour area and also floating in the harbour itself. The lights display includes a whale, a boat and a Christmas tree and will no doubt add to the Christmas festive feeling in Padstow this winter.
16. Penryn
Saturday 30th November, 2019
Penryn Christmas lights switch-on evening will feature a visit from Santa, carols and music and food and craft stalls.
17. Penzance
Sat 30th November, 2019
The official Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Saturday 30th November, with a festive market, music and entertainment adding to the atmosphere. The festive market will feature a variety of stalls from arts and crafts to food. There will be a Santa’s Grotto as well as musicians and bands playing throughout the town. The light switch-on will take place at 4.30pm
18. Fowey
Friday 6th December, 2019
Fowey’s Christmas Market weekend will kick off with the Santa Parade and lights switch on. Santa will be arriving not by sleigh but in one of Fowey’s tug boats at Berrills Yard at approximately 6.30pm. Please assemble at Berrills Yard by 6.30pm to take part in a Parade of Christmas Lights. Then join in with a sing-a-long of traditional Christmas carols at the church followed by the Christmas light switch on at 7pm and a short fireworks display. The Christmas Market opens at 5.30pm – come and browse the fantastic stalls before heading down to await Santa’s arrival. All this and more!
19. Polperro
Saturday 7th December, 2019
The annual Polperro Christmas Lights Switch on will take place on Saturday 7th December 2019 on Big Green in the village. Plenty of festive activities for the whole family during the day including a Christmas market and a visit from Santa himself. There will be live, festive music and a warm welcome in all the pubs and restaurants Polperro has to offer.
20. Coverack
Saturday 7th December, 2019
On Saturday 7th December a lantern procession and Coverack School children singing and signing Christmas carols will start the annual Christmas festivities in Coverack. Once the tree lights are on, Father Christmas will arrive in his pony drawn sleigh, to give a present to every child. The band plays Christmas carols, adding to the festive atmosphere and a team of volunteers will be providing hot beef sandwiches and hot dogs. Coverack Christmas Lights will be switched on, on Saturday 7th December and will remain on until Twelfth Night, the beautiful lights reflecting in the sea are well worth a visit.
21. Looe
Saturday 7th December, 2019
This year Looe will be hosting the arrival of Santa on Saturday 7th December, who will be arriving by river at 1.45pm after the annual Santa Fun Run at 12.30pm. At 5pm the Christmas lights will be turned on by Mayor Cllr Martin Gregory and Carnival Queen Lilly Reynolds in the Rose Garden and this year there will be a new special Christmas tree. Following the turning on of the Christmas lights there will be a lantern procession through East Looe accompanied by Father and Mother Christmas. Throughout the day there will also be a covered Christmas market, food, bar, bouncy castle, children’s entertainment, music and singing located in and around the Looe Harbour.
22. Mevagissey
Saturday 7th December, 2019
Mevagissey Christmas lights switch on takes place on Saturday 7th December 2019, 4.30 – 6.30pm on the Quay where food and drink will be available along with great entertainment. Also over the weekend Heligan are holding their Christmas Fair with a free park and ride operating from Willow car park. The fair finishes at 4pm so perfect timing for you to come back into Mevagissey for the evening. With thanks to Heligan and Willow the free parking is extended into the evening. Sure to be a great weekend.
23. Saltash
Sunday 1st December, 2019
This year celebrate the Christmas lights switch on on the village green along with a visit from Santa on his sleigh and Christmas carols. Don’t forget to decorate an ornament for the tree!
24. Mousehole
Saturday 14th December, 2019
Mousehole Christmas Lights are a stunning sight, with floating displays of lights in the harbour and around the streets which are filled with the delicious aromas of festive food and mulled wine. A fantastic display of sea serpents, whales and fishing boats colourfully light up one of Cornwall’s most welcoming harbours. The Centerpiece is the millennium Celtic cross on St Clement Island. On the evening of the Light switch-On there will be a beautiful open-air Carolaire service to enjoy.
25. Newlyn
Friday 13th December, 2019
Come and join in this year’s grand switch-on of Newlyn Harbour Lights on Friday 13th December from 6pm. Father Christmas will be arriving onboard the Penlee Lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’ at about 6.30pm and will be handing out sweets to all the children. Mulled wine, mince pies, singing by St Mary’s C of E School Choir, and an amazing firework display will follow. Fun for all the family and a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
If we’ve missed your local light switch on please send some information and an image to [email protected] and we’ll add it to the list!
