Find out when the Christmas lights are being switched on across Shropshire with our 2016 guide.
Shrewsbury Christmas Cracker – 16/11/16
Shrewsbury’s festive season will sparkle into life on Wednesday 16th November with an evening of activities and entertainment to launch the countdown to Christmas in style.
The fun starts at 4.30pm in The Square and lasts well into the evening. There will be live music at a variety of town centre venues with Santa’s Sleigh on Pride Hill and Jack the Jester adding to the merriment with performances on High Street.
The traditional lantern parade sets off from Darwin Shopping Centre at 6.15pm, leading into The Square for the official lights countdown. The Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Ioan Jones, will choose the winner of the best lantern, who will join him to switch on the lights at 6.30pm.
Malinslee Christmas Lights Switch-On – 18/11/16
Malinslee Christmas Lights Switch-On takes place on Friday 18 November between 3pm and 6.30pm.
The lights will be switched on by the Mayor of Great Dawley at Malinslee Centre, Brunel Road.
The event will include a Street Fayre, Facepainting and Mascots. There will also be a Community Stage and Music along with Community Stalls.
Santa will be dropping in during the event with fireworks at 6.30pm.
Bridgnorth Christmas Lighting Up Night – 18/11/16
Enjoy an evening of festivities in Bridgnorth High Street from 4pm on Friday 18th November. A variety of stalls, entertainment, attractions and of course Father Christmas and his reindeer await you.
With performances from Bridgnorth Primary Schools Choir, our four local Primary Schools, Galaxy Dance, plus other local talented groups, this is an evening not to be missed!
Oswestry Christmas Lights Switch On – 19/11/15
Local school choirs and performers celebrate the switching-on of the lights on the Bailey Head from 4pm.
Telford Shopping Centre – 19/11/16
The seasonal celebrations officially begin at Telford Shopping Centre with a spectacular lights switch-on fun day.
An action-packed programme of enchanting events will wow guests on Saturday 19th November, from 10am.
Taking centre stage during the day will be Bjorn the Bear, an animatronic polar bear set to astound and delight both children and adults alike. Also featured will be the magical Sparky the Robot and the stunning Snow Queen’s Ice Chariot, an Arctic performance combining amazing costumes, incredible contortions and breath-taking balancing acts. Plus there will be a host of other fantastic and usual festive fun to be had during the day.
To mark the grand lights switch-on, shoppers will be treated to brilliant pyrotechnic displays outside McDonalds and House of Fraser. There will also be energetic visual displays from the FlameOz Fire Show, stilt-walking fairy tale princesses, and the Winter Wonderland Birds, who are set to dazzle spectators with their stunning illuminated fanned tails.
Market Drayton ‘Christmas Festival of Lights Switch On’ event – 19/11/16
Market Drayton’s Christmas Lights will be switched on at 5pm on Saturday 19 November.
From 10am there will be entertainment and more in the library, at the Buttercross and Town Hall.
Shifnal Christmas Market and Switch On Event – 25/11/16
The Switch On ceremony of the Shifnal Christmas Lights will be on Friday 25 November at 6.45pm.
Shifnal Christmas Market will be held on the evening of Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November 2016.
Newport’s Christmas Lights Switch-on – 25/11/16
Newport’s Christmas Lights Switch-on takes place on Friday 25 November.
Dawley Christmas Lights Switch-On – 25/11/16
Dawley Christmas Lights are to be switched on by the Mayor of Great Dawley on Friday 25 November.
Events will take place from 12.30pm to 6.30pm with a Street Fayre, Facepainting, Mascots and Exotic Zoo including Donkey / Pony / Warm Cuddly animals.
There will also be a Community Stage and Music with Community Stalls and a visit from Santa.
Events take place at the Bandstand, Dawley High Street and Christian Centre.
Ellesmere Winter Festival – 25/11/16
Ellesmere Winter Festival takes place on Friday 25 November from 4pm.
There’s a Christmas Market and Grotto from 4pm, at 6pm the Tree of Light will be illuminated with carols in the Square. Father Christmas will arrive by Narrow Boat at 6.30pm.
The festivities also include a lantern parade and street band.
Wellington Christmas Lights Switch On – 26/11/16
Wellington Christmas Lights will be switched on with an afternoon of entertainment from 3pm on Saturday 26 November. The Mayor of Wellington will launch the event followed by performances from Wellington Brass Band and other performances in the Market Square.
At 5pm there will be a special appearance by cast members of Sleeping Beauty at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place. The grand switch on will take place along with Christmas music.
Broseley Christmas Lights Switch-on day – 26/11/16
One of Broseley’s best annual events to be enjoyed by all the family.
Music, entertainment, funfair attractions, craft fair and – of course – Santa’s Grotto!
At various venues around Broseley leading up to the switch-on at the Memorial Gardens at 7pm.
Featuring the return of the popular Bang on Street Band and a festive disco to end the evening.
Whitchurch Christmas Lights Switch On – 26/11/16
Whitchurch Christmas lights will be switched on by the Citizen of the Year – as voted for by the people of Whitchurch. Leading up to the big switch on at 5pm is a lantern parade which starts its magical journey from the Market Hall at 4.30pm.
The Outdoor Christmas Market starts the day off at 10am and runs straight through until 6.00pm with a variety of stalls as well as hot food. There will be children’s fairground rides in the Bullring and Santa will be visiting on his Sleigh. St John’s Church Fair is taking place in the Civic’s Main Hall from 10am.
Church Stretton Christmas Lights Fair – 26/11/16
Enjoy Church Stretton Christmas Lights Fair on Saturday 26 November between 2pm and 7pm.
The event will take place on the High Street, The Square and Churchway.
St George’s Christmas lights – 2/12/16
The cast of Sleeping Beauty at The Place in Oakengates will be taking a break from rehearsals to join the residents of St George’s for the festive lights switch-on.
Members of the cast will be joining a nominated member of the local community to switch on the lights. There will be plenty going on to keep the crowds entertained on the day, including live music and entertainment, stalls, children’s rides and a grotto.
The event runs from 3pm to 6.30pm on December 2, with the lights being switched on at 6.30pm.
Councillor Richard Overton, chair of St George’s Partnership, said: “The businesses in the town centre have really got behind the Christmas lights this year which is fantastic, and we want to say a big thank you to the shops and business in Church Street for opening a little later on the night of the switch-on.
“This year we will be supporting the charity STAY who have a presence in St George’s. The theme is homelessness at Christmas.
“We all know that Christmas is about friends and family and togetherness so it would be great to raise both awareness and funds to support those who have no home or nowhere to go this Christmas.
Much Wenlock’s Christmas lights – 3/12/16
Much Wenlock’s Christmas lights official switch-on will take place at 4 pm on Saturday 3 December 2016 in the Square.
Madeley Christmas Lights Switch On – 3/12/16
Madeley Christmas Lights switch on will be held on Saturday 3 December from 2-7pm.
The family event which will include a Christmas Market for all those special gifts and stocking fillers, Street Entertainment, Children’s Fairground Rides, Hot Food, FREE Children’s Craft Activities in the Anstice Ballroom, Singing and Dancing from local school children and of course Santa in his special grotto.
The festive lights ‘switch-on’ we be around 6pm.
Bishop’s Castle Christmas Cracker – 3/12/16
Music, late night shopping and parades along with Santa’s Grotto.
Clun Christmas Lights – 4/12/16
Join in with the fun of the Christmas light switch on between 7pm and 8pm.
Please note we have created this list as a guide only, should any of the events be incorrectly listed, changed or cancelled we are not to be held responsible.
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