It’s that time of the year when towns and villages across the country devote a significant amount of time, effort, and money to the lights and decorations that will be on display over the next couple of months. And if there’s one thing that gets better year after year it’s the Christmas lights. There’s nothing more festive than seeing the Xmas lights turn on for the first time as it truly marks the start of Christmas. That’s why here at ABC Taxis we have put together a great list of dates for you to enjoy the best Christmas Light switch-ons in Norfolk this year.

Norwich

When: 17 November | 17:45 – 19:00

This year Christmas lights are being illuminated by Britain’s Got Talent star Linda John-Pierre who plays Fairy Full O’Beans in the Theatre Royals, Jack & The Beanstalk pantomime. She will be joined on stage by Father Christmas and an array of fantastic performers and there will also be fireworks for this year’s Christmas Light Switch! Gentleman’s Walk will play host to an amazing range of carnival attractions for the children and there will food available from Norwich Market and pop-up vendors on Millennium Plain.

Festivities begin at 5.45 pm, with the switch-on itself taking place at 7 pm.

Find out more here.

Holt

When: 18 November

The official turn-on of Holt Christmas is one of the festive highlights of the Christmas period in Norfolk. Accompanying the turning on of the town’s illuminations there will be live entertainment, street food, artisan vendors, Santa’s grotto, a panto horse race, and a fireworks display.

The panto horse race, currently in its seventh year, will be held on Holt Hight Street prior to the big ‘switch-on. Holt traders funded these ‘panto’ horses, which are great fun to watch and a fantastic experience for the whole family. Parking is very limited so we suggest booking a taxi to avoid any inconvenience.

Entertainment from 5.30 pm
Panto Horse Race 5.45 pm
Parade 6.30 pm
Switch on/fireworks 7 pm
Live music 7 pm – 9 pm

Get more information here.

Gorleston

When: 20 November

The Gorleston Christmas lights switch on and the fireworks display is coming on Sunday 20 November 2022. Gorleston High Street will be bustling with festive fun for the stunning Christmas lights switch with a fireworks display. The event starts at midday and carries on through to the evening. There will be fantastic entertainment throughout the afternoon, organised by Harbour Radio and it will be a great day of festive family fun with loads of things to enjoy including rides and music as well as fantastic food and drink.

Get more information here.

Wells-Next-the-Sea

When: 26 November

The Wells Christmas Tide Festival is normally held during a weekend during the first week of December each year, however, the date for 2022 is Saturday, November 26th.

The festivities officially start in the Buttlands on Friday, November 25th, with carols, mulled wine, and other festivities. At 16:30 on Saturday, the lights are turned on accompanied by Santa who arrives by boat at 17:00. He’ll visit the kids at his grotto at Wells Maltings and the whole event culminates with a fireworks display at the front of the Quay.

This amazing Christmas event also includes a craft fair that runs on Saturday and Sunday (26 & 27 November) and Santa will also be available for the children to visit his grotto on Sunday.

To find out more click here.

North Walsham

When: 26 November

Every year, a group of unsung volunteers spend six Sunday mornings in the wind, rain, and occasionally snow, putting up the town lights in North Walsham to ensure that there are festive lights every year. Grants, gifts from traders, stall ground fees on the switch-on day, and kind donations via collection buckets cover the entire cost of the lights. This really is a story of a community coming together and you can help them through their crowdfunding campaign. The lights in North Walsham will be turned on at 6 pm 

Fakenham

When: 26 November

The Fakenham Christmas Fayre is always worth a visit and guarantees a day full of festive family fun. In the morning there will be stalls and in the afternoon Santa’s grotto, music, entertainment, crafts, and street food. Come and enjoy the event from 10 am, with entertainment starting at 2 pm. The official Christmas lights switch on will be around 5:30 pm. 

Get more details here.

Attleborough

When: 27 November

Attleborough Christmas Carnival is an awesome event that draws a great crowd from all over Norfolk to see the lights being turned on at Christmas. Over the years and through the use of social media, the event has grown to become bigger, brighter, and better and this year will be no different. Decorations have already been put up in the town center and this year the event will take place on Sunday, November 27 with the official light switch to take place at 4:15 pm in Queens Square.

Get more details here.

Thorpe St. Andrew

When: 27 November

The annual Christmas light switch-on at River Green in Thorpe St Andrew begins at 4 p.m. with the opening of the River Green Christmas Market and mini funfair. The market will stretch across the Rushcutters and The Buck pub car parks and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. One-of-a-kind Christmas gifts and local produce will be available from Christmas vendors. Additional Father Christmas himself will arrive at approximately 5.15 pm to turn on the Christmas lights at approximately 5.30 pm. 

Get details here.