The switching on Christmas lights signals the official start of the festive season. This year’s events come both big and small and are teeming with entertainment.
Here’s out guide to what’s happening where.
Oxford Street
Thursday, November 6, from 5pm
X Factor judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is the star name to turn on the lights in the capital’s biggest display. Rixton and Jess Glynne are also set to perform.
Gravesend
Friday, November 14, from 4.30pm
Gravesend will grow as school children are led in a lantern parade through the town by the Ice Maiden and Jack Frost to the 40ft Christmas tree in the community square. There will be live music from a brass band and drummers.
Friday, November 14
One of the biggest switch-ons every year, the marquee event at Bluewater last year brought you the ghosts of X Factor past, present and future – with previous finalist Jahmene Douglas, 2013 Gravesend contestant Tamera Foster and, eerily, this year’s finalists Only The Young. There was also Mr Tumble, a choir and Santa, all topped off with fireworks. Expect a similarly high-profile gig this year, led by Heart FM’s Toby Anstis.
Dartford
Saturday, November 15
The switch-on in Dartford is set to be better than ever with a full line-up of entertainment including the X Factor’s Rough Copy, Gareth Gates, panto star Dawson Chance and the cast of Miracle on 34th Street and Olympic stars led by local sprinter Adam Gemili all appearing before Santa hits the button.
Regent Street
Sunday, November 16, from noon
The major London shopping street’s lights will have a Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb theme, ahead of the Ben Stiller film’s release. The street will be traffic free for the afternoon, with a stage show from 4pm for the switch-on and fireworks at around 5pm.
Light Up Orpington
Thursday, November 20, from 4pm to 7pm
The High Street will be closed off from the monument to Knoll Rise for a festive extravaganza featuring a fun fair, musical entertainment, ice carving, real reindeer, a Christmas parade, stalls and street food.
The Walnuts will host a fair in the square, lantern making for the parade, a craft market and a grotto with print-on-site photos.
Biggin Hill
Saturday, November 22, from 3pm to 5pm
Enjoy festive entertainment with mulled wine and mince pies before the big switch on outside New Life Church.
Bexleyheath
Saturday, November 22
Take part in themed events throughout the day, ride up and down the Broadway on the land train and meet the live reindeer. A precession will lead up the Broadway to the switch on at 5pm of the largest Christmas tree Bexleyheath has ever seen. Of course, Santa will be there on his sleigh with his characters.
Penge
Thursday, November 20, from 3pm to 6pm
Expect a whole load of fun before the big switch on in Penge. There will be live music, panto dames, a children’s fairground, crafts and stalls, a magician and carol singers among the entertainment.
Hayes
Saturday, November 22
Expect a variety of gifts and games, Santa and his elves in a grotto and performances from local groups. It’s all based arond The New Inn and Station Approach.
Greenwich Lantern Parade
Wednesday, November 26 from 4pm to 7pm
Greenwich’s ever-popular lantern parade and light switch on will again include lots of schools displaying their lanterns from the Old Royal Naval college in the heart of Maritime Greenwich all the way into the market.
Petts Wood Christmas Carnival
Saturday, November 29 from 1pm
A mystery guest – last year it was Petts Wood resident and The Wanted boyband member Tom Parker – will switch on the lights. There will live bands, stalls, fairground rides and, of course, Santa. Fireworks at 6pm.
Chislehurst
Saturday, November 29
From 3pm, you can tuck into mulled wine, see Santa and eat popcorn and roasted chestnuts. Performances will come from All the Arts Theatre School, Glenlyn Academy and The Studio before the light switch on and singing from Rock Choir until 5pm.
Beckenham
Saturday, November 29, from noon to 8pm
The switch-on at Beckenham Green, next to St George’s Church will be preceded by a candle-lit parade, children’s fun fair, food, Santa, carols and entertainment on stage.
Bromley
Sunday, November 30, from noon to 5pm
The 2km Santa Dash – a Bromley tradition – will kick off the day’s festivities in the town centre. Hundreds of people will walk or jog through Bromley dressed as Santa from 2pm. Entertainment in the High Street starts at noon and goes on all day. The Churchill Theatre’s panto cast will visit at 4pm, Santa will lead a Christmas parade at 4.45pm on his sleigh pulled by reindeer and the lights will go on at 5pm.
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