Hinckley’s spectacular Christmas lights switch-on 2026

Hinckley’s Christmas lights switch-on event will take place on Friday 20 November and will get underway at 4pm.

The main town centre lights will be turned on by the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Cllr Cathie Gibbens and consort, plus Council Leader Cllr Stuart Bray at 6:30pm in Market Place.

There will be live music performances on the main stage in Market Place, hosted by Fosse 107. Visitors can also enjoy music at the Argents Mead bandstand and on Castle Street.

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 2027.  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. A map will be available on the Borough Council’s social media channels.

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 until 8pm for late night shopping.  Council approved light-sellers will be wearing purple and green hi-vis jackets.

Church Walk Car Park will host hot food and drink stalls with 95% of all stalls from Leicestershire.

This year, part of Station Road and Church Walk will be closed from 4pm to 9pm on the Friday. Church Walk Car Park will be fully closed from midnight on 19 November until 10pm on 20 November.

Children can visit Santa in his Grotto outside Jasper's on Castle Street. There will be a £5 charge to visit Santa, with all money raised going to the Against Breast Cancer charity. Hinckley United Reformed Church on The Borough will also be open from 4:30pm to 7pm providing free children’s Christmas craft activities.

Marking the start of the Christmas festivities, free street entertainment will be available all evening, including charity mascots and a LED stilt walker.

The traditional Tin Hat Fair will take place on Regent Street and George Street from 4pm until 10pm on the Friday. The fair will continue Saturday 21 November from 12pm to 10pm (weather dependent). 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 18 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 21 November from 10am – 4pm. There will be lots of original stalls with local businesses, artists, and crafters.  Entry to the Christmas Gift Fair is free.

Parking is free from 3pm in all Borough Council-run car parks, including the Hinckley Hub on the day of the lights switch-on (20 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 the Borough Council website as well as the one.network site (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 2 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."

Additional car parking information:

Car park closures for the switch on period are as follows:

• Trinity Lane East – midnight on Wednesday 18 November to 6am on Sunday 22 November

• Hub car park – 9pm on Friday 20 November until 8am on Monday 23 November

• Church Walk – midnight on Thursday 19 November to 10pm on Friday 20 November

• North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College car park (not council owned, accessible from Druid Street) will be open from 3pm on Friday 20 November

• On Friday 20 November the Britannia Centre car park (not council owned) will be open until 11pm and will close promptly.