Letchworth Christmas lights switch-on brings festive family fun

Families turned out in their thousands for a day of fun at the Letchworth Christmas lights switch-on on Saturday.

Entertainers performing live jazz, jive and vintage music as well as ballet and street dancers took to the stage throughout the day in the lead up to the big switch-on.

The children were kept busy with theatre shows from Imajica, a Santa’s grotto, Christmas trail competition, funfair rides and more.

There was also a variety of world foods, delicious desserts and festive hot drinks on hand to keep everyone warm.

Letchworth BID manager Patricia Saunders said: “It was wonderful to see thousands of people come together to celebrate the start of the Christmas shopping period with our town’s lights switch-on event.

“This highly-anticipated event not only provides fantastic entertainment for visitors to enjoy, but it is also one of the busiest days of the year when it comes to footfall in the town centre.

“The lights switch-on wouldn’t be made possible without the support of the town’s Heritage Foundation, who cover the costs of the lights and installation. “The Letchworth BID has received positive feedback from BID businesses about the importance of continuing these events.

“The support of local businesses for successful events such as this is very important and we are confident that businesses will continue to ‘vote yes’ over the next few days – a critical period in the lead up to the result of the reballot that will determine the future of the Letchworth BID and its existence for another five years.”

The Christmas parade – which is an annual favourite – featuring a Christmas sleigh, elves, majorettes, mascot characters and a princess carriage made its way through Leys Avenue ahead of the big switch-on and fireworks display.

And the festive fun in Letchworth does not end there, with activities happening right up until December 30.

Still to come is the Christmas Tree Festival, Garden City Singers Christmas Concert, Fairy Wonderland grotto, Christmas markets, snow globe, and much more.

To find out more about what Love Letchworth has in store for the rest of the festive period, download the full event guide by visiting loveletchworth.com.