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Press Release

5 October 2023

All that glitters is gold at the 2023 Fareham Christmas lights event

Come along to the ‘go-to’ festive event of the season – the Fareham Christmas Lights switch on!

Taking place on the pedestrianised area of West Street on Saturday 18 November, this family friendly event is by far the best attended of the year, attracting thousands of visitors.

This year, Fareham Borough Council will be unveiling a new festive lights display, as part of a five year contract with The Festive Lighting Company. The previous Christmas lights will be recycled.

The new lighting scheme, with its warm and cool toned white lights, is twice as energy efficient than the previous LED lighting, while delivering much brighter and more impressive lights.

The new lights tie in beautifully with this year’s golden theme, which will usher in a year-long celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Fareham being officially granted Borough status in 1974. This theme will continue across Council events and activities throughout 2024.

As always, there will be something for everyone at this free event, with face painting, fun fair rides, festive gift stalls, delicious food and drink and lots of activities for children. There will also be performers throughout the day, both on the main stage and entertaining the crowds along West Street.

Father Christmas would not miss this event and the Christmas lights will be switched on at 5.30pm by the winner of the Council’s summer colouring competition, supported by the Mayor of Fareham, Cllr Fred Birkett and Mayoress Lisa Birkett. There is still time to enter the colouring competition which closes on 6 October. Details can be found at www.fareham.gov.uk/events.

The day’s festivities will finish in a flourish of gold, with the spectacular finale show which is not to be missed.

Executive Member for Leisure and Community at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Sue Walker, said: “The Fareham Christmas Lights switch on is a festive treat for all the family. With so much to see and do, I really encourage residents to come along to do some Christmas shopping, indulge in some of the delicious food and drink on offer and be entertained and amazed by our shows and street performers. The Christmas lights countdown is a real spectacle and will be even more impressive this year with our new festive lights in place. The finale show will also be a glittering start to our 50th year as a Borough celebrations, and I for one cannot wait.”

For more information go to www.fareham.gov.uk/christmaslights

ENDS