What's On | Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Lights

SWITCH ON 2023

SATURDAY 18th November 2023 at 5.30pm

Stratford-upon-Avon town centre is set to dazzle this festive season and will launch with its annual Christmas Lights Switch-On, on 18 November 2023.

Thanks to entertainment and activities organised by Stratford Upon Avon BID and partners, the town will transform into a winter wonderland, featuring interactive attractions like a giant snow globe and an ice cave, plus face painters and other family-friendly delights. Live music and roaming performers will add to the festive atmosphere, while businesses and the market welcome shoppers, offering unique seasonal items.

The superb Christmas Lights Committee’s illuminations will make the town sparkle when they are switched on at 5.30pm. Residents and visitors are invited to celebrate with the Stratford-upon-Avon businesses, embracing the festive season’s joy and community spirit.

There will be Christmas Market stalls on Waterside & part of Bridge Street, which will be open from 10am to 7pm; this is organised by LSD Promotions please contact them if you have any queries. The normal Saturday market will be trading on Rother Market.

Christmas Entertainment

Entertainment for the event is all FREE and will fill the town centre from 10am to 7pm, this includes:

Choirs and other musical entertainment will be in various locations within the event area of Henley Street, Wood Street, Meer Street, High Street Bell Court and Bridge Street. This includes Snitterfield Hand Bell ringers in Bell Court and the Cubbington Silver Band on Henley Street
A Giant Snow Globe photo opportunity on Henley Street
An Ice Cave experience on High Street
An Accessible Sleigh photo opportunity on Wood Street
A Christmas Pudding Shy game on Henley Street
A Hook A Christmas Duck game on Henley Street
A Snowball In A Bucket game on Meer Stree
Christmas Craft Stalls on Wood Street
Glitter Tattoos on Meer Street
Face Painter on High Street
Glitter Hair/Tattoos on High Street
Face Painter in Bell Court
Fire Performer (5pm – 7pm)
Juggler (Roaming)
Elf On The Shelf Stilt Walker (Roaming)
Performances on the stage by Barclays Bank from 10am – 6.30pm

Singer David Harrop will be performing on stage at this year’s Christmas Light Switch-On at 1:40pm, 3:55pm & 6pm. Each performance will last 30 minutes.

David is a dynamic and memorable performer with huge charisma who performs his swing jazz show throughout the UK and internationally including Madrid, Spain and Las Vegas.

David’s unique and personal style is a hit with audiences on TV, radio and stage. One of his strengths being the way he connects with his audience making everyone feel included and special. His shows and performances can include singing, original poetry, dance and drama.

At Christmas David is in high demand with his unique and popular show is used at light celebrations, retail and town centre festive events.

Find out more about David at www.davidharrop.com

The Jivettes will also be performing on stage at this year’s Christmas Light Switch-On at 12:10pm, 1:05pm & 2:40pm. Each performance will last 30 minutes.

They describe themselves as not just another vintage trio! They ‘rock it out’ like Elvis and they do it all in heels!

Make sure your quiffs are high and your spirits higher as they sing and swing you back in time to the 1950s. The era of the jukebox, Cadillac cars, drive in movies and of course… Rock’n’Roll!

Comprised of 3 gorgeous girls from the world of show business they bring their unique spin to those icons of the Rock’n’Roll era.

With their own special tribute to the 1950s, exciting vocals and great sense of fun, they are the perfect choice to get everyone up off their seats and jump jiving the day away.

Stage Entertainment Schedule

10.30am-11:30am: Official opening of the event with Mayor Kate Rolfe, Michelle Baker, Stratford Upon Avon BID Manager, Matt Coombes, Chairman Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Lights & Vic Minett from Radio WM

11:35-11:50: Singer Lili La Scala

11:55am-12:05pm: Stratford Play House with excepts from the Christmas Panto Aladdin

12:10pm-12:40pm: Singing trio The Jivettes

12:45pm-1:00pm: Singer Lili La Scala

1:05pm-1.35pm: Singing trio The Jivettes

1:40pm-2.10pm: Singer David Harrop

2:15pm-2:30pm: Singer Lili La Scala

2.40pm-3:10pm: Singing trio The Jivettes

3:20pm-3:50pm: Holy Trinity Primary School Choir

3.55pm-4:25pm: Singer David Harrop

4:35pm-5:05pm: Stratford Girls Grammar School Cappella Choir

5:05pm-5:15pm: Royal Shakespeare Company actors from the current show, The Box of Delights

Actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s festive family production of THE BOX OF DELIGHTS will be coming along to say hello.

Expect a good wizard, a brave boy, and the loveable Barney The Dog – an amazingly realistic puppet dog.

As well as telling us more about the show (which runs in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre until 7 January), the actors will be bringing three ‘boxes of delights’ each containing a fantastic prize for 3 lucky members of the crowd to win.