Christmas Lights Switch On

Price: £free

Our Christmas Lights celebrations (sponsored by Systemagic) will take place from 4pm to 8pm and will include tons of live music, gift fairs, festive food and drink and more. The lights will be switched on in Westbury Garden at 6pm. Radio Bath will be MCing the evening from Westbury Garden.

But the night does not end there as there will be even more music at Lamb Yard (sponsored by Ravello) and Westbury Garden (sponsored by Systemagic), carols in The Shambles (sponsored by AB Dynamics) and follow the incredible new light display along the river walk for live music at the Tithe Barn workshops (sponsored by BLB Solicitors).

There will be the traditional large, decorated trees in Westbury Garden sponsored by Bradford on Avon Lions Club, at the Tithe Barn sponsored by the Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust, outside the train station sponsored by Great Western Railway.

Additionally, if you head into Lamb Yard you will see the Giving Tree – beautifully decorated with glassware from local artists Alex Compton and many more.

This year, the Giving Tree is collecting for Bath Cats and Dogs Home, The HUB and Julian House. and is beautifully decorated with glassware from local artists Alex Compton and many more The Bradford on Avon Rotary Club is opening Santa’s Grotto at the Bullpit this year from 5.30pm.

We’ve made a little change to our usual Mistletoe Trail. This year we’ve teamed up with the Doghouse to bring you the Bradford on Avon Mistledog Trail 2023.

All you have to do is lead your pooch around the trail, take some selfies and then upload those to Instagram – then tag @explore_bradfordonavon and @doghousewoofs to be in with a chance to win a prize from Doghouse.

The Mistledog Trail ends on Friday 15 December – when the winner for best photo on social media will be picked.

In the run up to Christmas you can take part in another staple of the season – the popular Elf Trail, organised by Piha. Keep an eye on Piha’s and the town council’s social media for more details.

The Elf Trail starts on Friday 18 November and runs until Christmas Eve – we will also have an elf in the Tourist Information Centre.

Christmas Lights Switch On poster (pdf)

Christmas Lights Switch On leaflet with Mistledog Trail map (pdf)

Below is the full line up of carollers, bands and artists performing at the event:

Systemagic stage @ Westbury Garden

4.45pm – Freshford Choir

5.15pm – Russell Jones

6pm – Lights Switch On

6.05pm – Courage Choir

6.30pm – Bum Notes

7pm – Shannon Kitchen

Ravello stage @ Lamb Yard

4.45pm – Westward

5.15pm – Bum Notes

6pm – Lights Switch On

6.05pm – Shannon Kitchen

6.30pm – Russell Jones

AB Dynamics @ The Shambles

5pm – The Bradford Carollers

6.30pm – The Bradford Carollers

BLB Solicitors @ Tithe Barn Workshops

6.30pm – Joanna Deacon

7.10pm – Westward