With only a few more weeks until the start of December, towns and villages across Cornwall are busy preparing for one of the biggest nights of the year - the grand Christmas light switch-on.
In the next few weeks, thousands of people are expected to join family and friends in their community to watch the grand switch-on, along with festive entertainment, food and more.
Here is our round-up of dates and times of Christmas light switch-on events in Cornwall 2023:
Falmouth:
The festivities will kick off at 5.30pm with the Rock Choir performing festive favourites on The Moor Stage.
At 6.10pm the parade will arrive on the Moor and at 6.15pm the following schools will perform Christmas songs and carols on The Moor Stage. These schools are Falmouth Primary Academy, King Charles Primary School, Marlborough School, St Francis C of E School, and St Mary’s School.
The lights will be switched on at 7pm.
For more information about the event or other entertainment taking place in Falmouth this December visit www.falmouth.co.uk.
Truro:
Festive Friday, on November 24 is brought to the city by Truro BID, in partnership with Truro City Council, Pirate FM, and Hall for Cornwall and sponsored by Coodes Solicitors.
There will be special entertainment from 4.45pm organised by the Hall for Cornwall on the stage at Boscawen Street.
At 7pm the lights will be switched on by Pirate FM’s Jonny Cowling and Lucy Start, cast members from Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas show, Peter Pan, Truro BID, the Mayor of Truro and others including Coodes Solicitors colleagues.
Read more here: Festive Friday featuring Truro’s Christmas Lights Switch-on returns
Helston:
Over the past few weeks, the lights have been going up around town and this year will see some new displays and brighter LED lights on the main trees by the Monument at the bottom of town and the top of town.
Throughout the evening before the grand switch on at 7.30pm there will be plenty of things to do and see, as well as various food stalls including a hog roast, burgers, crepes, wraps, cookies, chocolate churros, hot jacket potatoes and doughnuts available. Helston’s takeaway shops will also be open.
Read more here: Helston's Christmas Lights Switch-on: New displays and plenty of festivities
Porthleven:
Santa Claus will be stopping by the village on the night (as well as other dates in December) where he will be welcoming children into his grotto which will be based in the Shipyard Market. Visits to see Santa in his grotto will be £5 and each visit will include a gift.
Penzance (Newlyn):
Newlyn Harbour Lights has revealed that the Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Friday, December 15 at 7pm with a firework display from British champions, Sonic Fireworks.
Throughout the evening, there will be plenty of musical entertainment from Penzance Silver Band and Newlyn School Choir who will be singing outside the Harbour Offices from 6pm.
Santa will be arriving at the event on board the Penlee Lifeboat ‘Ivan Ellen’ at approximately 6.30pm accompanied by Pendeen Pilot Gig Club CIO in their decorated gigs.
One lucky child will have an opportunity to switch the lights on with Santa. To be in with the chance of being selected, parents/carers are asked to pick up free raffle tickets until 6.45pm on the night. Raffle tickets will be available at the front of the Harbour Offices to the right – next to the main entrance gate on the pier.
Goldsithney:
Goldisithney will be switching on their Christmas lights on December 2.
More details regarding the light switch on in Goldsithney are to follow.
Camborne:
Camborne’s Christmas Lights have been organised by BID Camborne and switch-on takes place after the Children’s Lantern Parade on Friday, November 24.
There will be entertainment around 2pm and 3pm on the main stage.
Free parking will be available throughout the event, and this is applicable at Trevithick Car Park.
Redruth:
A free winter woodland grotto will be available for members of the public to visit at Redruth Community Centre between 10.30am and 12.30pm and again at 1pm to 3pm.
Between 1pm and 6pm, a festive late-night market will take place in Market Strand and Market Hall. There will be festive traders selling gifts, crafts, festive treats, hot food and drinks, plus live music.
To find out what else is happening during Redurth’s Christmas Light Switch on visit www.discoverredruth.co.uk.
Tregony:
Tregony will be celebrating the countdown to Christmas on Sunday, December 3 when the village lights will be switched on at 6.30pm at The Square. It will then be followed by a Parade of Lanterns which will start from the Tregony Primary School at 5.45pm.
The parade will travel through the village and finish at The Square.
Carols will be sung, accompanied by members of the St Austell Town Band.
Angarrack:
Perhaps one of the most festive traditions to do during the countdown to Christmas. The community of Angarrack will be switching on their Christmas lights on Saturday, December 2 and will continue every evening from 5.30pm to 9.30pm until Friday, January 5.
Newquay:
The Christmas lights will be switched on in Newquay on Friday, December 1 from 3pm to 6.30pm followed by a firework display over the bay at 6.40pm.
Once the lights have been switched on there will be a ‘The Show Must Go On’ performance featuring live vocals, circus acts and choreographed dances at 6.45pm.
If your town or village has a Christmas light switch on event that you would like featured in our round-up contact kate.lockett@newsquest.co.uk.
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