Everything you need to know for the Colchester Christmas Light Switch On 2026

Here is everything you need to know about the Colchester Christmas Light Switch On 2026.

Date: 14th November 2025
Time: 5pm-7:30pm
Hosted by: Actual Radio

The Christmas Light Switch-On Parade takes place in the city centre. The parade stars at 5pm from the Mercury Theatre and is going through the High Street.

The official light switch-on is at Lion Walk Shopping Center between 7:00pm and 7:30pm, with the entertainment hosted by Dave Richardson from Actual Radio stating at 5pm.

The official lineup of performances looks like this:

5:15pm - 5:30pm DJ

5:45pm - The Big Sing Choir

6:15pm - Headgate Theatre: Hansel & Gretel

6:25pm - University of Essex Dance Troupe

6:40pm - Colchester Has Talent 2026 Finalist Cohort (medley)

6:55pm - Elsa, Anna and Olaf

7:10pm - Colchester Has Talent 2026 Winners, Catkins

7:25pm - Santa, the Grinch & Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

7:30pm - The Big Switch On – welcome and countdown. Fireworks followed by The Hit List’s lead singer Kiele-Lola singing festive favourites

8pm - The Hit List in Courtyard following the Christmas lights switch-on
 

Santa’s Grotto opens on the day in Lion Walk Courtyard. You can book tickets to see Santa HERE.

Late-night shopping: some shops in Lion Walk will be open until 8pm.

There will be a big wheel (82 ft) in St Nicholas Square launching on the 22nd November for the Christmas period.

City centre car parks include:

• Britannia Car Park
• NCP High Street Car Park (Nunn’s Road) — very central. 
• NCP Osborne Street

Blue Badge / Disabled parking:

Blue Badge holders can park free for up to 3 hours in council car parks. 
visitcolchester.com

There are designated Blue Badge bays on High Street, North Hill etc.

Tips & Advice

• Arrive early: With road closures starting in the afternoon, parking will be tougher later on, and the centre will probably be very busy.

• Use Park & Ride: Given the scale of the event (crowds expected) and the road closures, Park & Ride + bus is likely to be the least stressful way to get in.

• Dress for the weather: It’s late November — wrap up warm. It’ll be dark by switch-on, so bring a coat, hat, gloves etc.

• Meet-up spots: If you're coming with others, pick a meeting point in advance (e.g. in Lion Walk courtyard) in case phone signal is spotty.

• After the switch-on: There’s going to be live music and the big wheel — you could stay in the area for a while and soak in the festive atmosphere.

• Photography: Good opportunity for night / festive photography — but plan ahead for where to stand (avoid blocking key thoroughfares).