The search for Winchester’s local heroes to help switch on the city’s Christmas lights this year has begun – nominations are now open!
The annual Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On will take place on Thursday 16 November 2023 on The Broadway outside the Guildhall from 4.30pm.
This year’s event will be hosted by Heart Radio and the night will be 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 and Diva Academy to help kick start the festive season celebrations. This year’s kind sponsor of the Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On is Dutton Gregory Solicitors.
As part of the community-focused event, Winchester BID is launching their ‘search for local heroes’ campaign again this year to find Winchester stars to help switch on the festive lights. On the night, the countdown will begin just before 6.30pm, when the local heroes will help press the giant red ‘ON’ button that will light up the heritage city.
Click here to nominate a local hero to help switch on the Winchester Christmas lights.
Nominations close on Tuesday 31st October 2023.
Returning this year, in addition to the main stage and the big screen in The Broadway, Santa’s Sleigh and the Giant Inflatable Snow Globe will be installed in The Square from 12pm. The Snow Globe is part of a fundraising initiative for Spare Change For Lasting Change and 100% of donations will go directly to two local charities working together to support people experiencing homelessness in Winchester. The charities are The Winchester Beacon and Trinity Winchester. Santa will be parking his sleigh next to the Snow Globe this year to enable more selfie opportunities with some snow.
Other activities to look out for this festive season organised by Winchester BID will include the Winchester Independents Chalet at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. More details will be announced soon!
Sarah Davis, Winchester BID Manager, said:
“We are delighted to be coordinating the switch on festivities again this year. A big thank you to the event sponsor Dutton Gregory. This will be a fun-filled, community event that brings together the city of Winchester. It is also the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on local community heroes, which is why we will be searching for well-deserving local people to help switch on this year’s Christmas lights.”
On the night, we will be encouraging the public to get involved with the celebrations on social media too, to tag their photos and posts with @winchesterbid so we can repost and share the fun.”
To find out more and to keep up to date with further details, follow #WinchLights, #FestiveWinch and @WinchesterBID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On 2023 has kindly been sponsored by:
