Christmas Lights Switch On Northampton 2025

Enjoy a stocking-stuffed line up of free festive fun as we begin the countdown to Christmas! Northampton’s Annual Christmas Lights Switch On returns to the Market Square with a packed schedule of live stage entertainment, community stalls, festive workshops and activities, celebrating the most magical time of year.

Activities & Workshops 12 – 6pm

The Night Before Christmas crafts and storytelling on a Northampton Heritage Bus, plus the ‘Christmas Mae Mouse’ Trail with The Wild Tribe
Face painting
Balloonist Elves
Lemonpop Christmas Community Canvas
Alfie the Elf Make & Take Crafts
Silent Christmas Disco including SEND session – BOOK YOUR TICKETS AT EVENTBRITE
Winter Wonderland Stilt Walkers
The Northampton Rotary Club Santa Sleigh

Gift and Craft stalls
Festive Bar by VandB Northampton

Live stage entertainment hosted by John Griff from 12pm

12.15pm Dholvibes Drummers
12.40pm Break Dancing Elves
12.45pm Choir performance
1.45pm Break Dancing Elves
2pm The Starlight Sisters Vintage Vocal Trio
3pm Nene Valley Community Band
3.50pm Break Dancing Elves
4pm Northampton College Performance
4.15pm Royal & Derngate Peter Pan Panto – meet the cast
4.30pm The Deco Panto Beauty & the Beast preview
4.55pm Switch on countdown!

Don’t miss the big switch on at 5pm, with The Mayor of Northampton Cllr Jane Birch, Father Christmas and some very special guests!

5.15-6pm The evening will be topped off by The Funk Odyssey Party Band, playing soul and disco classics from across the decades!

The switch on will illuminate trees on the Market Square, All Saints’ Church Piazza, Guildhall Square, Abington Square and at Becket’s Park, along with lights throughout the town. The town council has invested in new Christmas lighting schemes for the town centre and the Wellingborough Road. We hope residents and visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere as we continue to improve and evolve the lighting over the next couple of years.