This year’s Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On event took place on Thursday 14 November 2024 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, with the lights being switched on by local heroes George Hatt and Jess Hatt, having received an amazing number of nominations from members of the public.
The spectacular event was organised by Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) and kindly sponsored by Dutton Gregory Solicitors.
In the lead up to the event, Winchester BID launched their ‘search for local heroes’ campaign to find Winchester stars to switch on the Christmas lights. This year, brother and sister George and Jess Hatt and their charity fundraiser Hatts off to George were Winchester’s local heroes who pressed the giant switch-on button that lit up the heritage city.
Hundreds of nominations were received in advance of the event and an amazing 83% of them were for George and Jess. George was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour earlier this year and is undergoing chemotherapy. George doesn’t know exactly how long he has left to live but his overriding request is that he makes at least one person smile every day. Since his diagnosis George and Jess have been fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity – please check out their go fund me page if you would like to make a donation. Sharing their fundraising efforts between the charity and George’s bucket list, George has been planning some incredible adventures. We hope switching on the lights will provide happy memories for his loved ones in years to come. Raising over £20,000 so far, George and Jess have worked tirelessly to raise awareness for incurable brain tumours. Thank you for making the city smile whilst cheering you on, on stage George and Jess.
This year’s Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On event was hosted by Jonny Meah from Heart Radio. The night was full of festive fun, with Winchester Round Table’s Santa’s Sleigh and wonderful live performances from The Pilgrims’ School Chamber Choir, Harestock Primary School Choir, Osborne School’s Rubik’s Cube, Winchester Rock Choir, Theatre Royal Winchester, Winchester A Capella, Integr8 Dance, Love Soul Choir, Diva Academy and New York City ‘Breaking’.
The popular Giant Inflatable Snow Globe was back this year in The Square during the day, which helped to raise £550.78 in donations for Spare Change for Lasting Change, Winchester BID’s charity scheme which aims to help to reduce street begging and rough sleeping in the city by supporting Trinity Winchester and The Winchester Beacon.
Sarah Davis, Winchester BID Manager, said: “We are so delighted to have been able to organise this special event again to welcome in the festive season in Winchester this year. It was wonderful to see so many people come together to enjoy the event and see the amazing local heroes switch on the Christmas lights. Thank you to all the event team and performers, members of the public who supported the event and to our sponsor Dutton Gregory Solicitors.”
Local hero George said: “Switching on the lights means the world to me. I am so honoured to have the whole community support me. It is such a privilege to know we have been supported by the community. It shows a lot of hope and a lot of love in the world. Even when things seem dark there is always a lot of light.”
Emma Menzies, Partner and Chair of Dutton Gregory Solicitors, said: “The Christmas Lights Switch On has once again provided a joyful start to the festive season and it has been a privilege to sponsor what always proves such an enjoyable event in the city’s calendar. Congratulations to Winchester BID, thanks to all those who contributed to and came along to celebrate and Merry Christmas to all.”
This festive season Winchester BID is also coordinating an Independent Business Chalet at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market.
To find out more about other activities across the wider Winchester District this Christmas, please visit the Christmas in Winchester website.
Video: Highlights from the Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On 2024.
