Let the Christmas countdown begin! Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) announces key 2022 Christmas dates.
Kickstarting the festive season in Winchester, the popular Christmas Lights Switch On event takes place on Thursday 17 November and back by popular demand, the #IndieWinch chalet returns in collaboration with the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market from 18 November to 22 December .
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On, 17 November 2022, 4pm to 7pm
This annual spectacular event, organised by Winchester BID and kindly sponsored by Dutton Gregory Solicitors, attracts over 10,000 revellers to the city centre. Taking place in The Broadway outside the Guildhall, the Winchester Christmas lights will be switched on by local heroes nominated by the public. The event is hosted by Heart Radio and promises an evening full of festive fun, with Santa’s Sleigh and wonderful live performances from Harestock Primary School Choir, The Pilgrims’ School Chamber Choir, Winchester A Capella, Integr8 Dance, Theatre Royal Winchester, Spitfire Sisters, Rock Choir, Duo Guitar and Diva Academy.
Returning for 2022, the Giant Inflatable Snow Globe will be located in The Square on the day of the Switch On from 12 noon to 8pm. Visitors to the Snow Globe are encouraged to make a voluntary donation to Spare Change for Lasting Change, Winchester BID’s charity scheme which aims to help reduce street begging and rough sleeping in the city by supporting two local homelessness charities, Trinity Winchester and The Winchester Beacon (Winchester Churches Nightshelter).
Independent Businesses Chalet at Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, 18 November to 22 December 2022
After its huge success in 2021, Winchester BID is hosting a chalet where a selection of local independent businesses will be trading. Why not visit the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market this festive season, visit the local independent businesses and pick up a copy of the new Winchester Independents Festive Map whilst you are there or a tote bag to promote shopping with local #IndieWinch businesses. The Winchester BID chalet will run for the full duration until the market closes on 22 December. 25,000 Winchester Independents Festive Maps will be distributed to pick up locations for visitors and also posted through the doors of local people across the city promoting shopping locally this Christmas too. Support your local independents this Christmas.
Sarah Davis, Winchester BID Manager, said: “Winchester BID is so delighted to organise the 2022 Christmas Lights Switch On sponsored by Dutton Gregory. We have seen another year of changes but turning on the Winchester Christmas Lights is a tradition that we know everyone enjoys coming to see. We wanted to bring people back to Winchester to celebrate together and look forward to seeing families and friends come together, on the Broadway, to witness some amazing local performers and a surprise guest or 2 (thanks Santa) before our local hero turns on the lights at 6pm. Thank you Dutton Gregory and all of those businesses who sponsor the Christmas tree – we really couldn’t do it without you.”
Robert Bolwell, Senior Partner at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, said: “We are hugely looking forward to this year’s Christmas Lights Switch On. It is always such a fun occasion, kicking off the magic of Christmas. It means so much to the community and we are delighted to be supporting it again as part of our Diamond Anniversary celebrations, marking as it does, 75 years of helping people across Winchester and its surrounds from the heart of the city.”
For the latest updates, follow #FestiveWinch and @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For media enquiries or interviews please contact Suzy Dierckx via marketing@winchesterbid.co.uk or call 01962 841000.
