St Ives in Cambridgeshire will be feeling very festive tomorrow (Saturday) as the town comes together for its Christmas lights switch-on.  

A Christmas market will open at 9am alongside the regular farmers market and live entertainment will be on the stage from 11am.  

The main wonder of the day – the lights switch-on itself – will happen at 5pm and will be followed by fireworks.  

There will also be funfair rides and street entertainment for everyone to enjoy.  

Santa Claus will be among the event’s special guests and is officially switching on the lights with St Ives town mayor Cllr Philip Pope.  

In fact, Santa had his dates mixed up and posted a video saying he had arrived a week early for the event.  

Cllr Michael Burke, is Chairman of the lights committee, chair of Huntingdonshire District Council and a St Ives town councillor. 

He said: “The Christmas lights committee start planning for the December switch-on every January.  

“Tomorrow, we will have the community and visitors here enjoying the Christmas lights and the festive atmosphere.  

“To see their enjoyment makes it all worthwhile.”  

A JustGiving page for the town's Christmas lights has raised over £7,000 so far from community donations. Its 2023 target is £8,000. 

Cllr Burke added: “We're so grateful for everyone's donations.  

"I must also thank our main sponsors for their support, including the Dolphin Hotel and the OutOut Nightclub which is also celebrating its fourth birthday.  

“And also the local businesses who have each sponsored the Christmas lights for 40 of the town's lampposts.   

“We’re so grateful to have this kind of support for our community.”  

Visit the “St. Ives Christmas Lights 2023” page on Facebook for updates and further information.  

Donate towards the lights via this JustGiving Page.