Christmas in Loughborough

Loughborough's Christmas lights will be switched-on in front of thousands of people on Friday 29 November, 2024.

The event, organised by Charnwood Borough Council, will be an evening of fun with a variety of market stalls, food and drink stalls, stage entertainment and children’s fairground rides.

Local radio station Fosse 107 will once again be hosting the event.

Loughborough Kia are this year’s headline sponsor for the switch-on event, which is also sponsored by Specsavers.

The Christmas lights will be switched-on at approximately 6.30pm by the winner of this year's Light up Loughborough competition.

Meet the winner of the Light up Loughborough competition

The Christmas lights switch on event is part of a full festive weekend taking place in Loughborough's town centre.

Below is a rundown for Christmas in Loughborough this year.

More details will be published on this webpage as they are confirmed.

Friday 29 November, 4-8pm - Christmas lights switch-on

From 4-8pm, the Market Place will host Santa's grotto, a wide range of stalls, food and drink stands and rides, and a host of talented performers will be appearing on the main stage to entertain the crowd. The lights will be switched on approximately 6.30pm.

Full line-up for Friday's switch-on:

• 4pm – Loughborough Student Union (LSU) Classical Concert Band
• 4.30pm – St Botolph’s School             
• 5pm – Loughborough Schools Foundation (LSF) Concert Band             
• 5.30pm – Ilea Cavner             
• 5.50pm – Saffy Foster
• 6pm – Magic Voices
• 6.20pm – Jonezy
• 6.30pm – Christmas Lights Switch-On
• 6.40pm – Jake Thompson
• 7pm – Loughborough Student Union (LSU) Tuxedo Swing Band            

Please note, timings and acts are subject to change.

Saturday 30 November, 11am until 1pm

Family friendly activities and rides in the Market Place from 11am until 1pm, including stalls, Christmas characters meeting and greeting visitors and a special performance from carol singers around the Christmas tree. Details below:

• 11am until 11.30am - Charnwood Voices                    
• 11.45am until 1pm - Carey Hall Baptist Church Choir

Love Loughborough will also be offering gift wrapping in the town centre.

Sunday 1 December, from 9am (Christmas films shown from 2pm until 6pm)

The Loughborough Santa Run for Rainbows Hospice starts in the Market Place from 9am. From 2pm, the big screen will be showing two Christmas films, which will be chosen based on the results of a poll conducted on the Council’s Facebook page. There will be stalls serving food and hot drinks for anyone feeling the cold.

New festive lights for 2024

This festive period will see the installation of new Christmas lights in Loughborough town centre.

Our existing lights are coming to the end of their life cycle and require changing.

Some of the existing lights are being refurbished (about 10 per cent) but the other 90 per cent will be brand new designs, including ground-level installations of festive-themed characters and displays that will be ideal for photo opportunities.

We are installing lights in Market Place, Devonshire Square, Wards End, High Street and part of Granby Street.

The switch-on and other festive events bring thousands of people into the town centre which help support businesses in the area.

Stay in the loop

You can keep up to date about the Council’s events including the Christmas lights switch-on by signing up for our email alerts and by following the Council’s social media channels @CharnwoodBC and searching for the hashtag #LboroLights24.