Let the Christmas countdown begin! Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) announces key 2023 Christmas dates.
Kickstarting the festive season in Winchester, the popular Christmas Lights Switch On event takes place on Thursday 16 November and back by popular demand, the #IndieWinch chalet returns in collaboration with the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market from 17 November to 21 December.
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On, 16 November 2023, 4.30pm to 7.30pm
This annual spectacular event, organised by Winchester BID and kindly sponsored by Dutton Gregory Solicitors, attracts many thousands of people 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 Winchester Round Table’s 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 and Diva Academy.
Enjoy the snow selfies at the Giant Inflatable Snow Globe which 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.
Independent Businesses Chalet at Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, 17 November to 21 December 2023
Winchester BID is hosting a Christmas 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 21 December.
Here is the list of businesses participating this year:
November: 17th and 18th The Consortium | 19th and 20th Clue Capers | 21st and 22nd Projects | 23rd and 24th P&G Wells | 25th and 26th Winchester Framing | 27th and 28th South Downs Social | 29th and 30th Winchester Makers
December: 1st and 2nd Lark Kids | 3rd and 4th Mint Tea Boutique | 5th and 6th Jeremy France Jewellers | 7th and 8th Re:Dress | 9th and 10th Open House Deli | 11th and 12th Bella Crafts | 13th and 14th Tillius | 15th, 16th and 17th Donna Laine Fine Jewellery | 18th and 19th 99 Vintage | 20th and 21st The Well Worn
Paul Spencer, Executive Director at Winchester BID, said: “We are delighted to be coordinating the 2023 Winchester Christmas Lights, the switch on event and the #IndieWinch chalet at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. The Christmas Lights Switch On kick starts the festive season in Winchester and is a fun, family event that brings together the whole of the community and helps get everyone in the festive spirit. It is also the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on some of our community heroes, which is why we are in search of well deserving local people to help switch on this year’s lights. A special thank you to the event sponsor Dutton Gregory Solicitors and to all the businesses which sponsor the High Street Christmas tree – we couldn’t do it without you.”
Robert Bolwell, Consultant at Dutton Gregory Solicitors, said: “Sponsoring the Christmas Lights in Winchester has become an annual tradition that everyone at Dutton Gregory Solicitors very much looks forward to. The ‘Switch On’ event is always a joyful start to the festive season and a wonderful example of the community spirit that we are fortunate enough to have been part of for over 75 years. After an incredibly busy year, we wish our clients, Winchester’s business community and residents a very happy and peaceful Christmas.”
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.
To find out more about Christmas in Winchester and festive activities in the city and wider district this year, please visit: christmasinwinchester.co.uk.
