Fenland towns and villages set to sparkle after light switch-ons

Towns and villages across Fenland are gearing up for their annual Christmas lights switch-ons.

March, Wisbech and Chatteris will all be getting lit up for the festive period as will villages including Doddington, Wimblington and Manea.

March will be the first to have its lights turned on this Friday November 25.

Drivers need to be aware the town centre will be closed to traffic from late afternoon as the fair rides and stalls are set up in Broad Street.

Father Christmas will be arriving in his sleigh on to the Market Place ready to flick the switch at 7pm. He will be handing out sweets en-route as well as from the special stage.

The event will also include live music.

Chatteris Christmas Lights Committee will be holding their event from 3pm on Saturday November 26, and drivers should be aware that the town centre will be closed to traffic from midday.

This is the 37th annual switch-on night and it will have all the usual fun fair rides, community stalls, food and drink and Chatteris will also be hosting Santa in his grotto.

Make your way towards the bandstand for 4.15pm so as not to miss Santa and a special guest in his sleigh heading to the stage ready to push the big red button and light up the whole town at 4.30pm.

The honour of flicking the switch will fall to one lucky pupil from one of the town’s three primary schools.

In Wisbech Sunday, November 27, is the day the town gets lit up and like its two neighbours a whole lot of fun is promised by Wisbech Town Council, which organises the event.

The Market Place is the place to be between 3pm and 6pm with the lights switch on being carried out at 5.45pm

If you love Santa then you’re in luck because he will be there and if you also love alpacas then you will be delighted to hear they will be there too.

There will be entertainment from a host of local performers

There will be a big screen showing all the action. And finally, the town council is promising a special animal experience with a chance to meet some alpacas.

Father Christmas will obviously be in attendance and there will also be the return of the giant snow globe and the elves and the good-o-meter.

This will be the seventh year that Wimblington has enjoyed a Christmas lights switch-on and volunteers have been busy fundraising throughout the year to help make them shine even brighter for 2022.

The switch-on will be happening from 7pm on Saturday, November 26, in the parish hall car park.

Manea’s big switch-on coincides with the annual Christmas Fayre organised by the village’s Gala Committee.

It is being held on December 11, from 2pm to 6pm, in the village hall.

Father Christmas will of course be there and there will be lots of stalls, refreshments and a raffle. The grand switch-on takes place on the village green from 5.30pm.

Doddington lights will go on on December 3 at 4.30pm with the Clock Tower being the focal point for the fun. As usual, there will be entertainment, fair rides and more.

And in Welney, December 4 will see the village hall host a German Christmas market from 10am to 4pm. There will craft and gift stalls, Santa’s Grotto, as well as German specialities.