There will be brass bands and pantomime stars, stories aboard a red heritage bus and an appearance from Ebenezer Scrooge. But when Northampton gathers in Market Square on Saturday 21 November, the job of switching on Christmas will belong to one of the town’s own.
World champion boxer Chantelle Cameron will join Santa and the Mayor of Northampton, Cllr Mike Hallam, to turn on the town’s festive lights at 5pm.
For Cameron, it is a chance to share a celebration with the community that has supported her career.
“I’m very proud to be from Northampton, and I still get overwhelmed by how much my community gets behind me and supports me,” she said. “I’m so excited to turn on the lights with my people, and I hope I can keep making everyone proud on the big stages.”
The switch-on is the centrepiece of a free afternoon of entertainment organised by Northampton Town Council, running from noon until 6pm. It also opens WinterFest, a programme of markets, performances and family activities designed to bring people into the town centre throughout the Christmas season.
Radio presenter John Griff will host the Market Square stage, with music from Moulton 77 Brass, Shoe Town Big Band, The Starlight Sisters and Buskerteer Choir, alongside performances by Northampton College’s performing arts students.
The town’s theatres will bring a taste of their Christmas productions into the square. Cast members from The Deco’s The Wizard of Oz, including Emmerdale actor Liam Fox, will join the programme, along with Royal & Derngate’s Beauty and the Beast, featuring Dani Harmer, known to generations of viewers as Tracy Beaker. There will also be a preview of What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas.
Away from the stage, children can make Christmas crafts with The Wild Tribe and Lemonpop Academy, watch Victorian gentleman magician Mr Illusionestay or climb aboard a Northampton Transport Heritage bus for storytelling with Northants Libraries.
Face painting, a children’s funfair ride and roaming elves will add to the afternoon’s activities. Scrooge, Victorian characters and stilt walkers will circulate around the square, while Santa’s sleigh will collect donations for local charities through the Rotary Club of Northampton Becket.
The Silent Disco Project will host Christmas party sessions at 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm, with the first session designated for people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Visitors can browse local produce, crafts and gifts, meet community groups and charities, or stop for mulled wine and speciality beers at the VandB festive bar.
As dusk falls, the countdown will begin at 4.55pm. The switch-on will illuminate Christmas trees and street decorations across the town centre, with additional trees at the railway station, in partnership with Northampton Town Centre BID, and by St Matthew’s Church for Kingsley and Links View Residents Association.
The celebration continues afterwards with The Funk Odyssey Party Band, bringing funk, soul, disco and Christmas favourites to the stage until 6pm.
For town centre traders, the afternoon also signals the start of a longer festive programme. WinterFest will feature a Ferris wheel, gingerbread-themed retail huts selling gifts from local businesses and a festive light installation from Delapré Abbey. Further weekend performances and activities are planned from 28 November to 19 December.
Delivered by West Northamptonshire Council with Northampton Town Council as principal partner, the programme also involves Northampton Town Centre BID, Delapré Abbey, Grosvenor Shopping and Muse.
Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere, chair of the town council’s community services committee, said the aim was to bring people together, celebrate local businesses and give families more reasons to visit Northampton over Christmas.
Santa will also take up residence at the Grosvenor Centre grotto from 21 November. Visits must be booked in advance and cost £2 per family, with all proceeds going to charity.
Find the full programme on the Northampton Town Council website, explore WinterFest or book a visit to Santa’s grotto.
