December 2025
Many of the towns and villages across South East England turn on their festive lights in November to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season. Head out with family and friends to a town centre Christmas light switch on near you and enjoy a sparkly night out! These events bring light and the festive feeling to high streets, market squares, and city centres throughout the South East. Many include a countdown to the light switch on, often by a local celebrity or guest, often with entertainment, music and traditional Christmas market and fireworks. Grab you hat and scarf and head along to one of these free events and take the chance to enjoy what's on the doorstep. A number of towns and cities also hold winter lantern processions, these heart-warming celebrations of the festive season are filled with light, music and community spirit, these include Winchester, Reading, and Dover.
Our featured events list is shown in date order, you'll also discover more Christmas lights switch on events happening across the South East at the bottom of the page. You can also find a host of colourful Christmas Light Trails many of which take place in visitor attractions, woods and gardens across the region.
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Number of results: 21
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Christmas
Lamberhurst
Haven't you heard? The Cheer-O-Meter, the very measure of festive magic, is running low, and only the joy of families like yours can raise it high once more
Christmas
Portsmouth, Southsea and Cosham
The countdown for a magical Christmas in Portsmouth begins with a dazzling party.
Christmas
Southsea
Feel the Christmas magic in Portsmouth with a festive visit to Southsea, Palmerston Road for the town centre light switch on event which takes place on Thursday 20th November from 5pm - 7pm.
Christmas
Maidstone
Kick off your Christmas with a visit to the popular Maidstone Christmas Light Switch-on. This event will be taking place at Jubilee Square from 4.30pm - 7pm on the 20th November.
Childrens Events
Littlehampton
Join us in Littlehampton as we give the streets some Christmas spirit at our Christmas Lights Switch on event & Late-Night Shopping on the Saturday 22 November.
The High Street will be packed with festive cheer and lots of local retailers will be…
Christmas
Maidenhead
Maidenhead's Christmas Lights Switch-On is the town's big festive kick-off! Get ready to light up your holiday season with a full day of festive fun and all-day live music in Maidenhead town centre!
Christmas
Portsmouth
The Portsmouth Christmas Market and Christmas Light Switch on returns to Commercial Road, on Saturday 22nd November. - giving visitors the chance to pick up some gifts and treats, or enjoy festive food and drink.
Christmas
Deal
Start your Christmas celebrations with a visit to the family-friendly Deal Annual Christmas Lights Switch On.
Head along to Deal town centre on Saturday 22nd November, from 5.30pm including music, a visit from Father Christmas and ends with the…
Christmas
Newport
The Newport’s Christmas Lights Switch-On has been transformed into a full-day celebration of festive fun for the whole family this year on the Isle of Wight.
Christmas
Fareham
Join us for Fareham's biggest event of the year in the town centre with fun and festive children's activities, community performers, street performers, funfair rides, market stalls, festive food and drink and lots more. Lights switched on at 5:30pm.
Christmas
Winchester
Fun for all the family, Winchester's popular Winter Lantern Parade event returns, and everyone is welcome to join in.
The annual lantern parade returns to Winchester Cathedral, and this year the theme is Light, Bright and Sparkling from Jane…
Christmas
Henley-on-Thames
Henley on Thames will be getting into the festive spirit on the 28th November, with the Henley Christmas Festival. The town square will come alive with festive stalls offering seasonal delights, unique crafts, and seasonal goodies. There will be…
Family
Battle
Battle's Christmas Parade starts the event, heading down the High Street at 1.45pm with Santa's Sleigh, elves, reindeer, and friends, followed by fairground rides and entertainment until the Christmas Tree lights are switched on by Santa himself.
Christmas
Eastbourne
See Eastbourne's Christmas lights and giant interactive LED tree switch on with late night shopping, entertainment and market.
Christmas lights to be turned on at 6pm.
Christmas
Bexhill-on-Sea
It's almost that time of year again! This year's Bexhill-on-Sea Town Council Christmas Light Switch-On and Street Market will take place on Saturday, November 29th from 3pm-7pm.
A very special roster of performers will be appearing throughout the…
Christmas
Sandwich
The annual Christmas lights switch-on event in Sandwich, Kent will be coming to The Guildhall Square on the 29th November from 12 noon to 6.30pm.
With stalls, face painting, live music from 12 - 6.00 pm, a colourful lights parade at 5pm, and the…
Christmas
Faringdon
Its the Farringdon Christmas Light Switch on Saturday 29th November.
With a Christmas market, music around the Christmas tree, a Santa Grotto, festive lights switched on at 5 pm, and craft activities in the Corn Exchange
Christmas
Portsmouth
Join us this December at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with our special guests, the band and choir from the Royal Marines School of Music, for a very special festive treat that everybody can take part in and enjoy, no experience necessary!
Christmas
Dover
Head along to Pencester Gardens in Dover for the annual Winter Light Up Dover event on Saturday, 6th December. This festival brings light to the winter months and offers an enchanting range of activities for visitors and residents to enjoy.
Christmas
Ramsgate
Visit Ramsgate in Kent this Christmas and New Year, and enjoy a series of festive events to bring brightness to the winter months, including the Light Up Ramsgate six-week trail and the fantastic New Year's Eve Lantern Parade.
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