Light up your life this Christmas

Where to visit Christmas lights this December…

Newport Pagnell’s Christmas lights switch-on will happen on Saturday, November 30 this year, and before the illuminations go live, the town hosts its usual fair and entertainment.

Whether you want to enjoy some festive food, or pick up a gift for someone, the stalls occupying the High Street will have your back.
Chance your luck at the tombolas, and enjoy the seasonal stalls as you take a leisurely stroll – and the shops will be vying for your attention, too.

A procession will run from Market Hill at the bottom end of the town, to the Church of St Peter & St Paul, before the lights get turned on at around 5pm.

In Northampton, the Christmas lights event takes place on Saturday, November 23 in Market Square.

Wrap up warm and pay a visit where you will enjoy ‘a stocking-stuffed lineup of free festive fun,’ organisers promise.
Live entertainment, community stalls, festive workshops and activities will pull you in, and you’ll be in great company – with panto stars, the Mayor of Northampton and Father Christmas already confirmed to attend.

The fund runs from midday to 6pm with the lights going live at 5pm.

Stony Stratford hosts its lights switch-on and fun day on Saturday, November 30 – and if you have your five year diaries to hand (well, your Smart Phones), you can make a note; the last Saturday of November will forever be the day the lights go on moving forward.
If you’ve been before, you’ll know that thousands of people flock to the seasonal tradition, to immerse themselves in the fun. Join them and you can check out musical talent on the Market Square stage as Watlingfest returns (11.30am-4.20pm), you can listen to bells jingle when the Morris Dancers return with a range of styles and colourful costumes – and the Stony Stratford Mummers might be putting in an appearance, too.

While there, peruse the stalls selling their festive wares and maybe pick up a few pressies.

The funfair will be operational on the High Street and on the aforementioned Market Square, and Santa is checking his schedule to see if he can take time out from his work at the North Pole to join the happenings.

Then, when darkness falls, the lantern parade returns, with this year’s theme, Puppets on Parade, which will snake a trail from London Road at York House, onto the High Street and into the Market Square ready for the countdown to the lights turn on, at 5pm.
If you’ve still got energy after all of that, let your voices loose with some carol singing.

As we mentioned, it can get very busy indeed, which makes it a bad space for doggies – so let Rover sit this one out at home, while you enjoy yourselves.

More info at stonylights.org

Northampton’s Delapré Abbey invites you to step into an enchanted illuminating Winter Light Trail this festive season.
The new addition – running from November 22 to December 31 – will wow you with its array of breathtaking light installations which you’ll find as you wander through sparkling tree lines, tunnels of light, soundscapes and larger than life illuminations around Delapré’s beautiful grounds.

Embark on a glittering winter adventure and let enchanting displays, captivating soundscapes and interactive elements wow you.
Sounds good on paper, but just imagine how great it will be when you get amongst it; your visit is guaranteed to be merry and bright!

Delapré is also offering Candlelit Tours – an opportunity to see the Abbey in a whole new light, literally, at this out-of-hours tour.
You’ll experience Christmas through the ages as Delapré guides you on an interactive journey spanning a whopping nine centuries.
You’ll taste the history too, with festive beverages and treats from bygone eras providing a yummy authenticity to the events, which will run on December 5 & 11.

Light up your season: delapreabbey.org

With festivities at the fore, it can be a difficult time as we remember those no longer with us. Willen Hospice acknowledges that and invites everyone to its inclusive Lights of Love remembrance ceremony on November 30.

It’s a chance to pause the noise and instead reflect, remember and celebrate those who mean so much, but are no longer with us physically.
Wolverton’s Ridgeway Centre is the hosting venue, and the service will include talks, readings, songs and poetry.

Willen-hospice.org.uk

A trip to Middleton Hall to view the seasonal lights is a festive must-do, and this year, the flick will be switched on Friday, November 15 – but only when Santa has paraded down the centre and to his Grotto.

The parade will begin at Door 1 at centre:mk – by M&S and Costa – before passing through Sunset Walk and down to Middleton Hall itself, where Santa will set up shop until Christmas Eve.