The Magical Christmas Countdown Has Begun! Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) announces key 2025 Christmas dates.
Kickstarting the festive season in Winchester, the popular Christmas Lights Switch On event takes place on Thursday 13 November and back by popular demand, the #IndieWinch chalet returns in collaboration with the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market from 21 November to 22 December.
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On, 13 November 2025, 4.30pm to 7.30pm
This annual sensational 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 will be hosted by Jonny Meah from Heart Radio and promises an evening full of festive fun 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 Weeke Primary School Choir.
Enjoy the snow selfies at the Giant Inflatable Snow Globe which will be located by The Brooks Shopping Centre in Middle Brook Street on the day of the Switch On from 12 noon to 8pm. Parked up nearby will be the Winchester Round Table’s Santa’s Sleigh, so do make sure you pay Father Christmas a visit. 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, 21 November to 22 December 2025
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 and see the local independent businesses showcasing their Christmas offerings. Whilst you are there, grab a FREE 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.
Here is the list of businesses participating this year:
November: 21st and 22nd P&G Wells | 23rd and 24th Clue Capers | 25th and 26th Mooeys | 27th and 28th The Well Worn | 29th and 30th Montezuma’s
December: 1st and 2nd Bar Lento | 3rd and 4th Donna Laine Fine Jewellery | 5th and 6th Mint Tea Boutique | 7th and 8th H&B Style |9th and 10th Cytronex | 11th and 12th Chococo | 13th and 14th Donna Laine Fine Jewellery | 15th and 16th Catkin and Pussywillow | 17th and 18th Warren and Sons | 19th and 20th Mythic Tabletop Games | 21st and 22nd Projects
Sarah Davis, Winchester BID Manager, said: “As always, we’re excited to be coordinating the Winchester Christmas Lights, the switch on event and the #IndieWinch chalet at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market again this year. Our Christmas Lights Switch On event kick starts the festive season in Winchester and is a fun, family event that brings together the whole community and helps get everyone in the festive spirit. We’re delighted to welcome local performers to the stage as well as shining the spotlight on our well-deserving local heroes. We can’t wait for them to turn on the lights! A special thank you to our event sponsor Dutton Gregory Solicitors and to all the businesses which sponsor the High Street Christmas tree – we couldn’t do it without you.”
Emma Menzies, Partner and Chair of Dutton Gregory Solicitors, said: “The Christmas Lights Switch On is always a magical moment that officially kicks off Winchester’s festive season. We’re thrilled to be sponsoring this joyful event for yet another year and deeply appreciate the incredible work of the Winchester BID team in bringing the community together. As we wrap up another rewarding year, we send our warmest wishes for a joyful and restful Christmas to our clients, local businesses, and everyone across the city.”
For social media updates, follow #WinchLights, #FestiveWinch and @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Instagram and X .
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.
