The 2024 search for Winchester’s local heroes to help switch on the city’s Christmas lights has begun – nominations are now open!
The annual Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On will take place on Thursday 14 November 2024 in The Broadway outside the Guildhall from 4.30pm.
As part of the community-focused event, Winchester BID is launching their search for ‘local heroes’ campaign 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.
This year’s event will be hosted by Jonny Meah from Heart Radio and the night will be packed full of festive fun! Visit the Giant Inflatable Snow Globe and Winchester Round Table’s Santa’s Sleigh in The Square and watch the wonderful live performances in The Broadway 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’ to help kick start the festive season celebrations. This year’s kind sponsor of the Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On is Dutton Gregory Solicitors.
Click here to nominate a local hero to help switch on the Winchester Christmas lights.
Nominations close on Thursday 31 October 2024.
Back by popular demand, we are delighted that the Snow Globe and Santa’s Sleigh will be installed in The Square from 12pm again. The Giant Inflatable Snow Globe is part of a fundraising initiative for Spare Change For Lasting Change and 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. Winchester Round Table’s Santa Sleigh is part of a community initiative to spread Christmas magic across the city and raise money for local charities and good cause. Please visit their website to find out about this year’s charities: winchestersantasleigh.co.uk.
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 Christmas Lights Switch On again this year. A big thank you to the event sponsor Dutton Gregory Solicitors. 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, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
The 2024 Winchester Christmas Lights Switch On is kindly sponsored by:
