Hinckley’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-on

Hinckley’s Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on Friday 22 November and will get underway at 4pm. 
 
The main town centre lights will be turned on by Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Robin Webber-Jones and consorts at 6:30pm in Market Place. They will be joined by the Leader of the Council and special guest, local actress Bethany Asher, who recently starred in the popular TV drama Sherwood. Lights in the Mead will be turned on in zones from 5pm, with the final zone being switched on at 6:30pm. The lights will then be on each evening (approximately 4pm to 11:30pm) until 6 January. 
 
On the Friday, 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. 
 
There will be a range of market stalls along Castle Street selling crafts, festive treats, and tipples. A selection of charity stalls will offer fun tombolas and prizes to take home plus many of Hinckley’s shops and the Britannia Centre will be open for late night shopping. Council approved street-sellers will be wearing purple hi-vis jackets. 

Children can visit Santa in his Grotto outside Jasper's on Castle Street (there will be a £5 charge, cash only to visit Santa). Money raised will go to Against Breast Cancer. The United Reformed Church on Regent Street will also be open from 4.30pm to 7.30pm providing free children’s Christmas craft activities. 

Free street entertainment will be available all evening, with a light up bubble blowing fairy and cheeky elves wandering around town with their Elfie Selfie station. The elves will be spreading Christmas cheer, handing out candy canes and offering rosy-red cheek face painting for everyone. Plus, everyone’s favourite, John Parnell the ‘Hoop Guy’, will be in town as the world’s tallest elf!  

The traditional Tin Hat Fair will take place on Regent Street from 4pm until 10pm on the Friday. The fair will continue Saturday 23 November from 12pm to 10pm. This year, extra rides will be in the Trinity East car park, including waltzers and megaspin. Rides are chargeable by the fair ground company, the Showman’s Guild. 

For more Christmas cheer, Atkins Gallery will be holding their Christmas Fair, on Saturday 23 November from 10am to 4pm. There will be lots of original stalls with local businesses, artists and crafters.  Entry to the Christmas Gift Fair is free. Festive treats will be available to purchase from the on-site Hansom Cafe. 

Parking is free from 3pm in all council run car parks on the day of the lights switch-on (22 November) and on Saturday 30 November and 7, 14 and 21 December at Castle car park, Trinity West, Lower Bond Street and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.  All relevant road closure information will be detailed on the Borough Council website as well as www.one.network  
 
No firework display will take place this year due to animal welfare and environmental concerns. 
  
Council Leader, Councillor Stuart Bray said:

The Christmas lights switch on is always one of the most popular events of the year and we are all looking forward to an evening of festive cheer and the opportunity to support local businesses. I wish everyone a happy and safe time during what promises to be an unforgettable evening.   
  
For those wanting to bring elderly and less mobile residents to view the lights I would recommend our Christmas lights car trail on Wednesday 4 December from 6pm to 8pm. Driving down Castle Street seeing the new lights without all the crowds is a great opportunity and you and your passengers can also enjoy entertainment on the trail. This is a lovely evening, and I hope as many people as possible will come along to enjoy it.