CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Delapré Abbey will host an illuminated woodland trail from Nnovember 17 to January 2

Illuminating times

Stony Stratford

The town will be bathed in light with the return of the traditional parade of handmade lanterns travelling from York House to Market Square via the High Street , which this year takes place on November 26. The theme for the event – the first time it has been held since 2019 – is Monster Christmas, which encompasses cartoon monsters, monsters from film and TV, classic monsters, mythical monsters or indeed any other that you can create – let your imaginations run wild!

Please leave Rover at home – the streets can get very congested, and it will prove stressful for pooch, and for you too.

You might choose to make your lantern at York House (with sessions happening on November 12 &13, and 19 & 20) or purchase a kit so that you can get creative in your own home.

The CLASS (Christmas Lights at Stony Stratford) Committee have organised the Switch-On Fun Day.

At 10.30am, a Stony Stratford Story Stroll will wander around the town with Red Phoenix, and children will be able to try their hand at juggling, unicycling, tight-rope walking and other skills in the company of Concrete Circus. Funfair rides will be tempting you on the High Street and in Market Square, together with the many other stalls.

Add in food and drink, and Watlingfest, bringing music to the Market Square between 11.30am and 4.20pm with a good mix of genres ready to go live, and you’ve got the perfect lead up to the big switch-on.

Check in at stonylights.org for the latest updates.

Candlelit Tours

Ok, so this isn’t a light switch-on, but Northampton’s Delapré Abbey will be glowing by candlelight, as you’ll see if you book your space on one of the special out-of-hours tours.

You’ll learn more about the Abbey’s history and its people while also getting to explore some of the many nooks and crannies of this most special building.

Tours will run on December 1, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 21 and 22.

Get more details at delapreabbey.org

Stony Stratford takes on a carnival atmosphere with its parade of handmade lanterns

Winter Light Trail

Enjoy a breathtaking, illuminated woodland trail with an array of magical light installations with a new trail experience spanning more than a mile and quarter of stunning woodland, walled garden and grounds of Delapré Abbey.

The perfect way to light up your life, and there’s plenty of time to enjoy it – the trail will run every Wednesday to Sunday (4pm8.40pm) from November 17 to January 2.

Independent food vendors, an Aprés Ski bar and children’s funfair will also feature.

To book, visit delapreabbey.org

Historic Northampton comes alive with the switching on of the Christmas lights

Northampton Christmas lights

The switch will be flicked on November 26 at the annual event in the Market Square, and the festivities will continue across town, with businesses being encouraged to get creative with festive themes window displays, all coming under the theme of Mischievous Elves – dozens of elves are expected to pop up in shop windows. And, while not Christmas lights related, we have to mention the 24-hour Christmas radio station which goes live for the start of advent and will pump out seasonal delight at the University of Northampton, the Grosvenor Shopping and at town centre businesses.

centre:mk

If you want to attend centre:mk’s switch on, the date for the diary is Friday, November 18 – which is also the opening night of its Santa’s Grotto.

Beginning in City Square at 4.30pm there will be entertainment and guest appearances from the cast of MK Theatre’s panto Snow White who will be coming along to help with the festivities, while everyone awaits the arrival of Santa.

When he arrives, the parade will begin – travelling the length of the centre to his grotto in Middleton Hall.

Just one question: As Santa and the cast of Snow White will travel together, will they go off to work with a hi-ho-hi-ho or a ho-ho-ho?!

Wolverton Lantern Festival

This isn’t a light switch-on either... but it will be a glorious parade of light when the Lantern Festival makes its return in 2022 after an enforced absence of two years on Saturday, December 3.

Food and drink vendors will be serving up good things from 2pm, live music will sound out from Foundation House and if you fancy picking up new tricks, Kester the Jester will be hosting free circus skill workshops between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

The MK Community Choir and Wolverton Town Band will also be showing out on the day.

The parade will begin from The Square at 4.30pm, and this year’s theme is minibeasts, perhaps giving a nod to many of our delicate species that are essential, but under threat.

Hopefully that will inspire young minds to support our beasties and bugs, and it will certainly make for an array of wonderful lanterns.

Of course if you want to take part in the parade, you’ll need a lantern and kits will go on sale in local outlets (Mrs B’s Emporium, Maisies and at the MK Christian Foundation) from the end of October for £4. Alternatively, step up for one of the public-making workshops happening at The Old Bath House on November 6, 13 and 27 between 2pm and 5pm. No need to pre-book.

Get more by visiting FB @wolvertonlanternfestival and tell them we sent you.

The big switch on at centre:mk coincides with the arrival of Santa on November 18

Newport Pagnell Christmas Lights

Newport Pagnell Christmas lights have been bathing in the town in a festive glow annually since 1960, when Early Beatty of Chicheley gave the command for that inaugural switch-on.

Today, the event is a chance to bring the community together with a day of stalls and fun ahead of the switch-on, which this year is taking place on Saturday, November 26.