Hinckley’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-on 2025

Hinckley’s Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on Friday 21 November and will get underway at 4pm. 
 
The main town centre lights will be turned on by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Richard Flemming and consort, plus Council Leader Cllr Stuart Bray at 6:30pm in Market Place, hosted by Fosse 107.

Lights in the Mead, a lighting display of some 25,000 lights (2.5km) will be turned on in zones from 5pm, with the final zone being switched on at 6.30pm, the same time as the lights in the town centre. The lights will then be on each evening (approx. 4pm to 11:30pm) until 6 January 2026. We are encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy the lights at both locations for the switch-on. 

On the Friday, the festivities will feature Santa’s grotto, a Christmas tree, street entertainment, two live music stages, children's crafts, a festive food and drink area alongside a host of charity and community stalls.

There will be a range of market stalls along Castle Street selling Christmas crafts and festive treats as well as a selection of charity and community stalls offering fun games and prizes to take home plus many of Hinckley’s shops will be open for late night shopping. Council approved light-sellers will be wearing purple and green hi-vis jackets. 
New for this year live music will be performed at the Argents Mead bandstand, while the Church Walk Car Park will host most of the food and drink stalls. 
We’re proud to share that 99% of all stalls at the switch-on event are from Leicestershire. 
To support this new layout Church Walk and part of Station Road will be closed from 4pm to 9pm on Friday. Church Walk Car Park will be fully closed from midnight on 20 November until 10pm on 21 November. 

Children can visit Santa in his Grotto outside Jasper's on Castle Street (there will be a £5 charge, cash only to visit Santa) money raised will go to Against Breast Cancer. Hinckley United Reformed Church on The Borough will also be open from 4.30pm to 7.30pm providing free children’s Christmas craft activities as well as hosting the council’s coat exchange rail for the evening. 

Marking the start of the Christmas festivities, free street entertainment will be available all evening, with a gingerbread man and baker joining cheeky elves wandering around town spreading Christmas cheer along with some of Hinckley Concordia Theatre’s panto stars. Plus, everyone’s favourite, John Parnell the ‘Hoop Guy’, will be in town as the world’s tallest elf, his final season of stilt walking. 

The traditional Tin Hat Fair will take place on Regent Street from 4pm until 10pm on the Friday. The fair will continue Saturday 22 November from 12pm to 10pm. Extra rides will be in the Trinity East car park, including waltzer's and the ride Freak Out, the car park will be closed from midnight 19 November until 7am 23 November. Rides are chargeable by the fair ground company, the Showman’s Guild. 

For more Christmas cheer, Atkins Gallery will be holding their Christmas Fair, on Saturday 22 November from 10am to 4pm. There will be lots of original stalls with local businesses, artists and crafters. Entry to the Christmas Gift Fair is free. Festive treats will be available to purchase from the on-site Hansom Cafe. 

Parking is free from 3pm in all council run car parks, including The Hub on the day of the lights switch-on (21 November) and all day on Saturday 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December at Castle car park, Trinity West, Lower Bond Street and North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College. All relevant road closure information will be detailed on our website as well as Causeway (one.network)

Council Leader, Cllr Stuart Bray said:

“The Christmas lights switch on is always one of the most popular events of the year and with the return of Lights in the Mead we are all looking forward to an evening of festive cheer and the opportunity to support local businesses. I wish everyone a happy and safe time during what promises to be an unforgettable evening. 
 
“For those wanting to bring elderly and less mobile residents to view the lights I would recommend our Christmas lights car trail on Wednesday 3 December from 6pm to 8pm. Driving down Castle Street seeing the lights without all the crowds is a great opportunity and you and your passengers can also enjoy entertainment on the trail. This is a lovely evening, and I hope as many people as possible will come along to enjoy it."