Christmas lights switch-on and window display competition launch herald start of festive season in Sudbury

Sudbury is championing the theme of ‘supporting local’, with the return of two signature Christmas events today to mark the start of the festive season.

The Christmas lights switch-on will take place in the town centre tonight, alongside a festive fair making its anticipated return after a Covid-enforced hiatus last year.

Public voting will also begin today for the annual Christmas Window Display Trail and Competition, with people invited to choose their favourite display from dozens dotted around the town.

Run by Sudbury Town Council and networking organisation thebestof Sudbury, and supported by the Free Press, this year’s competition is the biggest yet, with over 85 businesses participating.

Town centre manager Rachel Price said: “Sudbury’s lights switch-on event and launch of the Christmas Window Display Competition coincides with Black Friday – a date that has become synonymous with cheap deals with big online retailers.

“Sudbury’s annual window display trail and competition is the antithesis of shopping with the big, faceless online retailers.

“It’s a celebration of the innovation and passion of local, independent businesses and, in Sudbury, we are fortunate to have such an incredible selection.”

Penny Wilby, owner of thebestof Sudbury, added: “I’m really excited about getting involved in this year’s Christmas window display competition.

“It’s fantastic that more than 85 businesses are taking part. Our local businesses, especially retail, have had a really tough couple of years.

“I hope this encourages people to pop into town to take a look at the festive windows and do their Christmas shopping.

“Sudbury has some wonderful shops and it’s now more important than ever that we support them and our local high street.”

The public vote runs until December 13, and all voters will have the option to enter a prize draw, for a chance to win a ‘Sudbury Love Local’ hamper, with gifts donated by local businesses and organisations.

Voting slips are included in this week's Suffolk Free Press and every edition up to the closing date, while trail maps and voting forms are also available at Sudbury Tourist Information Centre inside the town hall and at every participating business.

The centre of Sudbury will be filled with festive colours at 6.30pm, when the Christmas lights switch-on is carried out by town mayor Sue Ayres.

For those unable to attend, the switch-on will be live-streamed online, as it was last year, when more than 17,500 people from around the world tuned in to watch during lockdown.

The lights will be accompanied by the traditional fair, running from 5pm to 9pm, with rides for adults and children, characters from the hit film Frozen and performances by magician Stephen Barry.

Over at St Peter’s, the choral society will be performing carols, and a Christmas-themed craft fair is being hosted under a marquee, while there will also be stalls on Market Hill, North Street and East Street.

From 5pm, Father Christmas will welcome visitors to his grotto at Holmes and Hill solicitors in North Street, and there will be a photo opportunity outside with his elves and sleigh.

The Christmas tree in Old Market Place, donated by the Wilson family in memory of Phil, will be lit up at 6pm, illuminating the messages dedicated to lost loved ones, which are helping to raise money for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

Carols by the Salvation Army and music by buskers Ben Smith and Serena Grant will also be performed around the tree throughout the evening.

Organiser Teresa Elford said: “After nearly 18 months of lockdowns, no family gatherings, or large organised events, we are delighted to see the return of the annual Christmas Fair in Sudbury.”

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