Colchester Set For Stunning Christmas Lights Switch On

Colchester’s Lion Walk Courtyard gears up for its biggest ever Christmas Lights Switch-On celebration.

Colchester is set to sparkle brighter than ever this festive season as the Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025 brings a spectacular evening of entertainment, music and magic to the city on Saturday 22nd November – and the chance to see Father Christmas himself!

Lion Walk Shopping Centre, Colchester BID and Colchester Events lead the celebrations, which promise to be the biggest and best yet with crowds of up to 70,000 expected to join the festivities throughout the day.

Activities in Lion Walk begin at 5.30pm, kicking off with a 40-minute performance from The Big Sing Choir, recently seen on national TV, and guaranteed to get visitors into the Christmas spirit.

The evening’s line-up continues with a dazzling showcase of live performances, family favourites and local stars, including Headgate Theatre’s cast of Goldilocks and the Three Bears plus appearances from Frozen’s Elsa, Anna and Olaf, returning by popular demand after last year’s magical performance.

November 22nd is also the day Santa takes up residence in his Grotto in the Lion Walk Courtyard, providing the extra special moment of magic, and the big man himself will join The Grinch on stage to deliver a comic festive skit.

There will be more live entertainment from the winner of this year’s Colchester Has Talent competition, nine-year-old local singing sensation Gabriella Goldie, who is sure to amaze the crowds once again.

Shrek, starring in the award-warning West End show Shrek The Musical which is at Charter Hall this Christmas, then joins the Colchester Town Crier and the Mayor of Colchester as they lead the official light switch-on between 7.00pm and 7.30pm.

As the lights illuminate the city centre, celebrations continue with a spectacular laser light and FX pyrotechnics show and Mariah Carey classics sung by local star Yasmin Woods. The party will continue with live music from Cushti in The Courtyard, keeping the festive energy flowing into the night.

The evening also marks the start of the Lion Walk Courtyard’s programme of Christmas Carnival events and the opening of the Santa’s Grotto. Visit https://lionwalkcourtyard.com/events to book now for that special moment of Christmas magic with Father Christmas as well as details on all the live entertainment available in the run up to the big day.

Throughout the Light Switch On event, shops across Lion Walk and Red Lion Yard will stay open until 8pm, with leading retailers including Primark, Boots, JD and Fenwick championing late-night shopping alongside many local favourites.

There is also Late Night Shopping in Colchester on each Wednesday in December (December 3rd, 10th, and 17th) plus a fabulous Colchester Christmas Market over the weekend of December 10th .

The turning on of the city's Christmas lights is one of the biggest days in the calendar for Colchester and this year's festive celebrations will see events and activities across the city centre, including a vibrant Christmas Market and a Big Wheel in St Nicholas' Square.

The Rotary will be on hand supporting the event with multi-site charity collections, while Invasion Colchester bring a host of cosplay characters to roam the crowds and spread festive cheer.

Martin Leatherdale, Centre Manager at Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said: “Colchester’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and 2025 is shaping up to be our biggest and brightest yet. With everything from live music and beloved characters to light displays and local performers, it’s a night that truly brings the community together to celebrate the magic of Christmas.”

For full event details, timings and updates on Christmas in Colchester, including booking a visit to Santa’s Grotto, visit www.lionwalkcourtyard.com.