Christmas Lights Switch-On: Final Preparations Complete for Festive Town Centre Celebration

Hailsham is getting ready to welcome the festive season, with final traders, entertainment and event arrangements now confirmed for the town’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On on Friday 27 November.

Organised by Hailsham Town Council in partnership with local community organisations, the event will run from 1pm to 7pm, with activities centred around Vicarage Field and Hailsham High Street. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm, marking the official start of the town’s Christmas celebrations.

Residents and visitors can look forward to an afternoon of live entertainment, Christmas market stalls, family activities, festive food and drink, and opportunities to support local businesses and independent traders.

The event is now fully booked for traders, with local and regional businesses, makers and independent traders offering handmade gifts and crafts, festive decorations, flowers, clothing, skincare, homeware, jewellery, children’s items and other locally produced products.

Confirmed stallholders include Kie’s Tasty Temptations, Misty Acres, One of a Kind, Ace Knits & Bits, The Rum Infusionist, Sweet Kettle Bakes, Tropic Ambassador, Sprout & Stone Crystals, Unique Crochet, Love 1918, Debbie’s Crafty Creations, Maison de Valerie, LAW Designs, Dreamweaver Kids, Personal & Sassy, Caromacare, Crafty Cards, Polly’s Patchworks, Gill Heasman, Vernon Print and Hailsham Lions.

Food and drink will include pizza, a hog roast, coffee, crepes, jacket potatoes, chips, burgers, mulled wine, hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Festive entertainment will include live performances from The Sussex Stompers and Con Brio, while pupils from Hailsham Academy and Hailsham Academy Primary will perform Christmas carols ahead of the 6pm lighting ceremony. Father Christmas will also make a special appearance courtesy of Hailsham Rotary Club, and Hailsham FM will broadcast live from the town centre.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm by actor Jonathan Linsley, who portrayed Ogilvey in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. Jonathan will be taking part in the celebrations wearing his Pirates of the Caribbean costume, adding a special touch of swashbuckling fun to this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Following the switch-on, visitors can visit Hailsham Parish Church for complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Councillor Anne Marie Ricketts, Chair of the Town Council’s Communities Committee, said: “The Christmas Lights Switch-On is a wonderful opportunity for Hailsham to come together and celebrate the beginning of the festive season. With so much taking place throughout the afternoon, there really will be something for everyone to enjoy.”

“I hope residents and visitors will come along, enjoy the entertainment and activities, and support the local businesses, independent traders and community organisations helping to make the event possible.”

Karen Giddings, Corporate Services Manager at Hailsham Town Council, said: “Months of planning and coordination have gone into this year’s event, and it is fantastic to now have the programme and arrangements firmly in place. We are very grateful to all the schools, performers, traders, community organisations and volunteers who are contributing.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming everyone to Hailsham and creating a memorable start to the Christmas season.”

To support the safe running of the event, Hailsham High Street will be closed to traffic from approximately 11am until 9pm.

For further information, contact Hailsham Town Council on 01323 841702 or email.