This year’s Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On event took place on Thursday 13 November 2025 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, with the lights being switched on by local heroes Terry Young and Pat Bloor, 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, Terry Young (the popular poppy seller from the High Street) and Pat Bloor (a phenomenal fundraiser for Winchester Hospice) were nominated as Winchester’s local heroes to press the giant switch-on button to light up the heritage city.
Hundreds of nominations were received in advance of the event with huge support for Terry and Pat. A well-known friendly face in Winchester, Terry is known for his volunteering and charity fundraising, and in particular for the Royal British Legion and the Poppy Appeal. Among the many nominations for Terry, he is described as “One of the familiar faces of Winchester. Always smiling, volunteering his time. A very deserving and humble person” and also as “A true gentleman” and “An inspiration”. Pat is a passionate fundraiser for Winchester Hospice who has raised significant amounts of money to support the charity. Among the nominations Pat is described as a “Fundraising extraordinaire” and “A genuinely community-minded person” and “Truly inspirational”. Thank you for making the city shine brightly Terry and Pat.
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, Theatre Royal Winchester, Winchester A Capella, Integr8 Dance, Love Soul Choir, Weeke Primary School and Diva Academy.
The popular Giant Inflatable Snow Globe was back this year in Middle Brook Street during the day kindly sponsored by The Brooks Shopping Centre, which helped to raise hundreds of pounds 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: “The Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On is a delight each year for us to deliver. It’s wonderful to see the huge crowds this event attracts and we are so pleased to be able to launch the festive season in the city. Thank you to all the event team and performers, members of the public who supported the event, our local heroes and to our event sponsor Dutton Gregory Solicitors.”
Local hero Terry said: “Thank you Winchester and have a wonderful Christmas” and local hero Pat said: “Thank you to everyone who nominated me. It is a great privilege to switch on Winchester’s Christmas lights. I would like to thank the Hyde Women’s Institute in particular and my family and friends for all their support with my fundraising for Winchester Hospice and the Winchester Food Basics Bank”.
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 2025.
