Absolutely everything you need to know about Bury St Edmunds’ Christmas lights switch-on

The switching on of festive lights signifies the beginning of the Christmas period, here’s everything you need to know about Bury St Edmunds’ lights switch-on event this evening.

What time is it happening

The Our Bury St Edmunds Christmas Lights Event, organised by the Business Improvement District, will be held from 3pm to 8pm and is free-admission. The lights will turn on automatically as the sun sets.

The arc Shopping Centre in Charter Square is also holding a festive event from 3pm – 6pm, with lights being switched on at 4pm.

What to expect

In the arc, there will be illuminated fairies on stilts and elves to help get the festive season underway. There are also new lights which are better and brighter than previous years.

Visitors to the switch on will also be able to get a sneak at the Theatre Royal Christmas cabin, returning to Charter Square with new show ‘Where’s Santa’s Hat?’

The 20-minute performances are perfect for two to seven-year-olds and run from tomorrow to Christmas Eve.

The Our Bury St Edmunds event will see a variety of stalls, such as crafts, festive food and drink from businesses including Cookie Barista, Peck, Papaki’s Deli, Mr Simms Sweet Shop and Thomas Ridley, as well as charity stalls.

The stage, which will be outside Moyse’s Hall, will have entertainment through the afternoon and evening which will include magic shows, Theatre Royal pantomime characters and The Snow Queen and her friends.

Santa will also be in town meeting youngsters and later in the day he’ll be on the stage with some festive magic.

Local artist Kitty Grant will be one of the musical highlights, along with school groups who are also performing. Away from the stage there will be a host of street entertainment around the town centre including the opportunity to meet gingerbread characters.

All the lights in the displays use the most energy-efficient LED bulbs and, as last year, to conserve energy, they will be on for slightly fewer hours each day than in previous years.

The stage schedule is as follows:

3pm – Brooke School

3.25pm – Magic Show

3.40pm – The Snow Queen and her Friends

3.55pm – Sybil Andrews Academy

4.15pm – Abbots Green Academy

4.40pm – Ickworth Park Primary School

5pm – CTC Foundation College

5.25pm – Guildhall Feoffment Community Primary School

5.50pm – Stoke College

6.15pm – Theatre Royal Pantomime Characters

6.40pm - Santa and Magic Show

7pm – Kitty Grant

7.20pm – Live music