Photos and video of Helston Christmas Lights switch on 2023

It was one of three events to take place locally on Friday, with Truro and Camborne also lighting up for the festive season.

People poured into Helston from as early as 5pm, to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the stalls and food vans ahead of the switch on at 7.30pm.

Mya visits Santa's Grotto (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Ross and Natalie Hocking selling their Poldhu Beach Cafe items (Image: Kate Lockett/NQ)

Many shops also stayed open late, adding to the jolly atmosphere in town, while the pubs were packed throughout the evening.

In the Guildhall a number of craft stalls were set up, along with mulled wine, while out in the main street Helston Cober Valley Rotary Club were also dishing out cups of the festive favourite.

There were colourful lights in the air and the ground (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Helston Cober Valley Rotary Club serve up mulled wine (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Santa set up his grotto in Meneage Street, with long queues of children going into to see the big man and his elves, and leave with a gift. 

Also in Meneage Street, Helston Concert Band played well-known carols outside WH Smith, while outside the Guildhall the musicians from Cornish Roots entertained with festive tunes.

Cornish Roots perform outside the Guildhall (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Ava meets Santa and one of his elves (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

On the main stage, at the bottom of Coinagehall Street, Kerrier Male Choir sang for around an hour before handing over to compere for the switch-on, Methodist superintendent Rev Danny Reed, and Helston Town Band.

You can watch it unfold live in our video below: 

The band played carols and Christmas songs, interspersed with Rev Danny welcoming everyone who came in for the event and giving a special thank you to Robert Williams and his hard-working team of volunteers on the Christmas Lights Committee for the many hours they put in during the lead up to the switch-on, putting up the displays.

Rev Danny Reed leads the singing accompanied by Helston Town Band (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Alice receives a sweet from members of Helston Railway (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Rev Danny brought his usual high energy to the role, interacting with the crowds and leading everyone in singing and dancing along to Shakin’ Stevens’ Merry Christmas Everyone.

The crowds were comparable with Flora Day as people squeezed into Coinagehall Street ahead of the switch-on, with people counting down from ten before one lucky pupil from Parc Eglos School was chosen from the crowd to press the plunger and illuminate the town, to cheers from everyone watching.

Helston was packed for the event (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Helston Theatre Company promote their pantomime Sleeping Beauty (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You then blasted from the sound system, as people took in the lit up town in its full glory for the first time this year, before Helston Town Band continued with more tunes to end the evening.

Fun with light up hearts (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)

Grylls Monument and the main Helston tree lit up (Image: Kate Lockett/NQ)

Meneage Street illuminated (Image: Dan West)

A street performer outside The Bell looking festive (Image: Emma Ferguson/NQ)