Christmas lights switch-ons 2026

Town and village switch-ons around Trafford, South Manchester and Cheshire, with Santa, markets, lantern parades and fireworks. Nearly all are free.

16 events coming up, 16 free and 4 within 20 minutes of Timperley. Nearest: Christmas light switch-on at The Belmore at The Belmore, Brooklands Road (10 min, Fri 27 Nov). Next up: Castleton Christmas Lights Switch-On (Sat 14 Nov).

Updated . New events are added every week.

At a glance 16

Nearest to Timperley first. Who's switching on is added as each town announces it.

WhereWhenSwitched on by
The Belmore Fri 27 Nov6pm Not announced yet
Ashton on Mersey villageSanta · Christmas market Sat 21 Nov Not announced yet
KnutsfordSanta · Parade · Lantern parade Sat 21 Nov The Mayor of Knutsford, joined by Santa and special guests
Heald GreenChristmas market Sun 29 Nov11am–4pm Not announced yet
StockportParade · Costumed characters Sun 15 Nov12pm–5pmLights on 4.45pm Not announced yet
Alderley EdgeChristmas market Sat 21 Nov3pm–7pm Not announced yet
Wilmslow Sat 21 Nov Not announced yet
ReddishChristmas market Sat 28 Nov12pm–7pm Not announced yet
RomileyChristmas market · Santa · Santa's grotto · Choirs and carols Sat 21 Nov11am–6pm Not announced yet
NorthwichChristmas market Sat 21 Nov Not announced yet
OldhamCostumed characters · Santa · Live music on stage · Choirs and carols Sat 14 Nov1pm A local schoolchild who won the council's competition, with the Mayor, Cllr Pam Byrne
RochdaleSanta · Christmas market · Street food Fri 20 Nov5pm–8pmLights on 5.30pm Father Christmas with the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale
ChorleyChristmas market Sun 22 Nov Not announced yet
Crewe Sat 28 NovLights on 6pm Not announced yet
Sandbach Sat 28 Nov Not announced yet
CastletonSanta · Parade · Santa's grotto · Crafts Sat 14 Nov4pmLights on 4.30pm Not announced yet

Still to be announced 16

These towns usually hold a switch-on but haven't published this year's date yet. We check every week and add each one as soon as it's announced.

Switch-ons on Saturday 14 November 2

Switch-ons on Sunday 15 November 1

Switch-ons on Friday 20 November 1

Switch-ons on Saturday 21 November 6

Romiley Christmas Light Switch-On Romiley Forum and The Precinct, Romiley, Stockport · 30 min Saturday 11am–6pm around Romiley Forum and the Precinct; switch-on time not yet givenFree
Northwich Christmas Extravaganza Northwich town centre · 35 min Saturday, all day; Christmas artisan market 10am–7pm; full programme still to comeFree

Switch-ons on Sunday 22 November 1

Switch-ons on Friday 27 November 1

Switch-ons on Saturday 28 November 3

Reddish Christmas Lights Houldsworth Square, Reddish, Reddish, Stockport · 25 min Saturday 12pm–7pm in Houldsworth Square; festive makers' market 12pm–4pmFree

Switch-ons on Sunday 29 November 1

Christmas lights switch-ons by area 16

Nearest areas first. Tap an area to see what's there.

Switch-ons in Trafford (Sale)

2

Switch-ons in Stockport (Romiley, Reddish, Heald Green)

4

Switch-ons in Cheshire East (Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Crewe)

5

Further afield

5

Most switch-ons run from the afternoon into the early evening, with stalls, stage acts and a visit from Santa building up to the countdown once it's dark, usually between 5pm and 6.30pm. The countdown itself is over in a minute, so it's worth arriving early for the rest of the afternoon.

Town centres get busy: roads around the main square are often closed for the afternoon and car parks fill early, so the train, tram or bus is often easier. Wrap up warm, bring a torch for the walk back, and agree a meeting point with older children in case you get separated in the crowd.

For grottos, pantos and the rest of the season, see Christmas with kids and Santa's grottos compared; for illuminated trails, see light trails.

Questions parents ask

When is the Altrincham Christmas lights switch-on 2026?

Altrincham hasn't announced its 2026 switch-on yet (last year's was Sat 22 Nov 2025, 2.45pm–6pm on Regent Road and George Street). We check every week and will add it here as soon as it's announced.

Is there a Christmas lights switch-on in Sale?

Sale town centre didn't hold a switch-on of its own last year, but there are smaller ones in and around Sale. In Trafford: Ashton on Mersey village (Sat 21 Nov) and The Belmore (Fri 27 Nov).

Which switch-ons are in Trafford?

In Trafford: Ashton on Mersey village (Sat 21 Nov) and The Belmore (Fri 27 Nov).

Who is switching on the lights?

Announced so far: Oldham, a local schoolchild who won the council's competition, with the Mayor, Cllr Pam Byrne; Rochdale, Father Christmas with the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale; Knutsford, the Mayor of Knutsford, joined by Santa and special guests. Most towns name their guest a week or two before, and we add them as they're announced.

When is the Stockport switch-on?

The Stockport switch-on is on Sunday 15 November, from 12pm, with the lights going on at about 4.45pm. What's on and getting there.

When are the Knutsford and Wilmslow switch-ons?

The Knutsford switch-on is on Saturday 21 November. The lights are being switched on by The Mayor of Knutsford, joined by Santa and special guests. What's on and getting there. The Wilmslow switch-on is on Saturday 21 November. What's on and getting there.

Are Christmas light switch-ons free?

Almost all of them are: they're free street events paid for by councils, town centre businesses and sponsors. Rides, food and grottos at them are usually paid for on the day. The first is Oldham on Saturday 14 November, and the last Heald Green on Sunday 29 November.

Are switch-ons OK for toddlers?

Yes, with a bit of planning. The daytime part (stalls, Santa, stage acts) suits little ones best; the countdown can be loud and crowded at the front, so stand further back with a buggy, and bring ear defenders if fireworks are planned.