Date set for Hucknall's Christmas lights switch on

The date of Hucknall's Christmas lights switch on has been announced.

Ashfield District Council, co-organisers of the event, confirmed that it will take place on Wednesday 30 November from 4pm until 7:30pm on the marketplace and Hucknall High Street.

Similar events will be held in Sutton on Thursday 17 November and in Kirkby on Thursday 24 November.

All three events will have funfair rides, an entertainment stage featuring performances from local talent, free face painting, and Santa and his sleigh. This year, the three Christmas markets will fill the town centres with food and drink, featuring traders from Ashfield Food and Drink Festival, as well as local businesses and residents selling gifts, and crafts.

The events will finish with the official light switch on of the Christmas trees and feature 3D lighting.

Councillor Rachel Madden, Executive Lead Member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, said: "We can't wait to see our town centres buzzing with thousands of visitors, once again. Our Christmas light switch on events are always hugely popular and we are excited to host three fun filled events. The Council's Summer of Fun was a successful series of free family events and the Christmas events will be an excellent conclusion of the Council's events programme.

"Christmas officially starts in Ashfield in November, so join us as we spread the festive magic across the District with our annual Christmas celebrations."

Last year's event in Hucknall attracted thousands of residents after it had been cancelled in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

However, there was a lot of disappointment from attendees about the lack of a funfair and social distancing protocols as well as how dimly lit the marketplace was. One resident even went as far as describing it as 'The Phoenix Nights version of other displays'.