Final details for Hinckley Christmas light switch on announced

There will be a new feature this year, as visitors and shoppers will be able to stroll through Argents Mead surrounded by thousands of new twinkling lights this winter thanks to a new winter lights trail in the town.

Work will start from this weekend festooning the trees, bandstand and pathways around the Mead with thousands of new fairy lights, in preparation for them to be illuminated with the rest of the town centre Christmas lights next month.

Hinckley Christmas lights switch on will be held in the Market Place on Friday 22 November. The annual event attracts thousands of visitors to the town centre for an evening of festive fun.

The festivities will begin from 4pm and will feature Santa’s grotto, a Christmas tree, street entertainment, live music, a hog roast, mulled wine, roast chestnuts and lots more festive treats alongside a host of charity and community stalls.

The lights will be switched on at 6:30pm in Market Place by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Robin Webber-Jones and consorts, with the Leader of the Council and special guest, local actress Bethany Asher who recently starred in the popular TV drama, Sherwood.

The Tin Hat Fair will also be in town for the event on Friday and Saturday evening. No firework display will take place this year due to animal welfare and environmental concerns.

Council Leader Cllr Stuart Bray said: “The Christmas lights switch on is always a highlight of the year and promises festive cheer for everyone visiting the town to see the lights, visit the fair, enjoy the entertainment and support our local businesses. This year we’ve increased the budget for the event investing in the new light trail for Argents Mead, a new feature that everyone will be able to enjoy not just for a few minutes at the switch-on event, but every evening through the festive season. We hope it will get everyone into the festive spirit.”