Christmas Light Switch-Ons 2026
Christmas is about to light up across Norfolk and North Suffolk, with towns and cities preparing for their annual festive switch-ons.
From big city-centre celebrations and fireworks to smaller community events with markets, music and visits from Santa, there are plenty of opportunities to start the countdown to Christmas.
Here's our guide to some of the biggest confirmed Christmas light switch-ons across the Broadland area.
Norwich – Thursday 19 November
Norwich launches its festive season on Thursday 19 November, with entertainment beginning around City Hall, Hay Hill and Norwich Market from 5.30pm.
The lights will be switched on at 7pm, illuminating streets across the city centre.
The evening also launches Norwich's new Festive Love Letters Trail and the first Norwich Winter Sessions, bringing additional music and entertainment onto the city streets.
Plans for the special guests are currently being revised after Norwich City Council confirmed that previously-announced guest JaackMaate will no longer be appearing. (Norwich City Council)
Great Yarmouth – Friday 20 November
Christmas officially arrives in Great Yarmouth on Friday 20 November.
Entertainment starts in the Market Place from 4pm, with choirs, dance groups and live music.
Gareth Gates, who is starring as the Beast in Britannia Pier's Christmas pantomime, is expected to perform before helping with the switch-on at 7pm.
A rooftop fireworks display will follow immediately afterwards.
Many town-centre shops will remain open until 8pm and the evening also marks the start of the Great Yarmouth Christmas Fayre.
Halesworth – Saturday 21 November
Halesworth celebrates Christmas on Saturday 21 November, with events running from 2pm until 9pm.
Santa's Grotto and family entertainment take place during the afternoon before food, drink and stalls open in the Market Place.
At 4.45pm the Band of the Royal British Legion will lead a procession along the Thoroughfare with Santa and his reindeer, with the lights switched on at 5pm.
Live music continues into the evening.
Wymondham – Thursday 26 November
Wymondham is doing things slightly differently this year.
Its lights will be switched on at the Market Cross at 4pm on Thursday 26 November, around ten days before the town's larger Wynterfest event.
The smaller after-school celebration is expected to include hot chocolate, mulled wine and festive treats.
Beccles – Friday 27 November
Beccles town centre gets festive on Friday 27 November, with events beginning from 5pm.
Expect craft and gift stalls, food, music, entertainment and late-night shopping, alongside a Santa's Grotto at St Michael's Church.
The weekend also marks the start of the Beccles Christmas Tree Festival.
Lowestoft – Saturday 28 November
Lowestoft's Christmas Light Switch-On takes place on Saturday 28 November from 2pm until 5pm.
The main stage will be on London Road North outside the former Post Office, with entertainment planned for all ages before the town is illuminated for Christmas.
Southwold – Saturday 28 November
Southwold's celebrations take place from 2pm until 6pm on Saturday 28 November.
A Christmas market runs along the High Street, with entertainment in the Market Place from 2.30pm and the lights switched on from the Town Hall balcony at 5pm.
A free Santa's Grotto opens behind the Swan Hotel from 5.30pm.
North Walsham – Saturday 28 November
North Walsham's annual Christmas light switch-on is planned for Saturday 28 November, with attractions in the Market Place throughout the day before the lights go on during the evening.
The town's Christmas Market follows on Sunday 29 November.
Dereham – Sunday 29 November
Dereham's Christmas celebration takes over Market Place and Church Street from 1pm until 7pm on Sunday 29 November.
There will be fairground rides, food stalls, local performers, donkey rides and Santa's Grotto.
The lights are scheduled to be switched on at 4.30pm. Entry to the event is free.
Cromer – Saturday 5 December
Cromer waits until December for its festive switch-on.
The event takes place around Cromer Parish Church on Saturday 5 December, with the countdown beginning at around 3.45pm and the lights due to come on at 4pm.
A Christmas Fayre and Santa's Grotto are also being held in the town during the day.
We'll continue adding more Norfolk and North Suffolk Christmas light switch-ons as towns, villages and organisers confirm their final plans.
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