Wilmslow Town Council is delighted to announce the programme for this year’s Wilmslow Christmas Lights Switch-on, taking place on Saturday 21st November, with a full day of festive fun, family activities and live entertainment planned for the town centre.
The celebrations will get underway at 10am, with the opening of the Markets on Alderley Road.
From 12pm to 3:30pm, families can enjoy a range of free festive activities on Hawthorn Lane (off Bank Square), including Christmas-themed face painting and craft workshops. There will be plenty of opportunities to get creative, with a variety of festive crafts to make or and decorate, including badges, key rings and gift bags and tree decorations.
From 1:30pm, our ever-popular compere, Erik Garner, will take to the Christmas Stage near Bank Square to host an afternoon of live entertainment.
This year’s fantastic stage line-up is as follows:
1:35pm – Wilmslow musician Jessie Amy Leask
1:55pm – Rock Choir
2:30pm – Onyx Academy of Dance
2:45pm – Stagecoach
3:15pm – Wilmslow High School Band
3:50pm – Wilmslow High School Choir
4:10pm – TEMPO (performing Legally Blonde the Musical at Wilmslow Leisure Centre in March)
4:25pm – DATS (performing Peter Pan at Wilmslow Leisure Centre in December)
4:45pm – Gorsey Bank Choir
Please note: timings may be subject to change.
The excitement will build towards 5pm, when Father Christmas and special guests will join the crowds in Bank Square for the big countdown and the official switch-on of Wilmslow’s Christmas lights.
Throughout the day, town centre businesses will be hosting pop-up stalls outside their premises, offering a tempting selection of festive refreshments and treats. During the afternoon there will be fairground rides, festive walkabout characters, including the popular polar bear. Keep an eye out for a few extra surprises along the way, including opportunities to meet Father Christmas as he makes his way around the town centre.
There will be plenty of festive magic to enjoy around the town centre beyond the day too. The popular 3D stand-in Christmas bauble will return to Bank Square, providing the perfect opportunity for a festive photo, while the spectacular walk-through Christmas wreath arch and illuminated light tunnels on Alderley Road will once again bring some extra sparkle to the town. The light tunnels are funded by town centre businesses through Wilmslow BID, represented by Wilmslow’s Way Better.
Wilmslow Town Mayor, Councillor Sally Harrison, said: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Wilmslow’s 2026 Christmas Lights Switch-on. It promises to be a wonderful day, bringing our community together to enjoy the magic of Christmas.
“We’ve extended our free activities this year, with a fantastic choice of festive crafts and free Christmas face painting, giving families even more opportunities to get involved and enjoy the celebrations.
“We’re proud to fund and organise this special event, working alongside our wonderful compere Erik Garner, the Wilmslow’s Way Better team, and our fantastic local schools and community groups.
“On behalf of the Town Council and all Town Councillors, we hope everyone in the Wilmslow community comes along and enjoys a truly magical festive occasion.”
Come along, join in the festivities and help us kick off Christmas in Wilmslow!
