Fenland towns set to sparkle for Christmas with switch-on events

As Christmas looms fast on the horizon local towns and villages are preparing to be lit up for the festive season.

The first town to sparkle will be March when its lights are turned on this Friday (29).

The event starts in Broad Street from 6pm with the switch being thrown at 7pm.

Ahead of the fun there will be road closures in place so drivers be warned. The Market Place (car park) will be closed from 5pm on Thursday, until the evening of Sunday, December 1 the longer closure is due not just to the Christmas Lights switch on but also to markets being held on Saturday and Sunday.

On the day of the switch-on Broad Street will be closed from 2pm to 11pm.

Elwyn Road, High Street, and Market Place Road will be closed from 4pm until 11pm.

Organisers ask that no vehicles be left parked in these areas, during the road closures due to health and safety concerns.

March Town Councillor Martin Field has also launched a fundraiser to cover the electricity costs for this year's Christmas lights, which will shine until early in the New Year.

A JustGiving page aims to raise £500.

Cllr Field said: "We all enjoy the Christmas lights and the switch-on event, which is entirely organised by volunteers.

"However, the lights themselves, the electricity used, and the organisation of the event all cost money.

We wouldn't be able to do this every year without your generous support."

On Saturday it will be the famed festive lights at Chatteris that will be turned on.

The town boasts one of the most spectacular displays in the area and attracts thousands of visitors to its switch-on every year.

This year it is taking place from 4.30pm at the bandstand when the lights will be switched on by Father Christmas and, as is tradition, a pupil from one of the town’s primary schools.

There will be the usual fair rides, stalls, and games for everyone to enjoy as well as music and refreshments.

Volunteers from the Christmas lights team will be walking around with collection buckets to gather your pennies which will all help fundraise for the lights.

On Sunday, December 1 Wisbech town centre promises to be a festive hive of activity with live entertainment on stage in the Market Place.

The event starts at 3pm and will run until 6pm with the lights being turned on at 5.45pm.

Attractions will include polar bears, rides, Father Christmas in his grotto, ‘Jingle Elves, a snow park and spectacular aerial acrobatics – and it is all free to enjoy.

Finally, Whittlesey will hold its annual Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, December 14.

The event runs from 3.30pm to 7pm and among the attractions will be the magnificent Showman Engine and fairground engine.

Building on the success of previous years the organising committee has worked hard to ensure that Whittlesey can have an evening of family fun in and around the Market Square.

Many local companies and businesses have made donations or offered sponsorship. To allow many of the traditional attractions as well as some new activities to be on offer to keep all the family entertained throughout the evening.

This year in addition to all the usual rides, there will be a circus workshop, mini crazy golf, tin-can alley, hook a duck, and a photo booth which will be in Malcolm James Estate Agents and kindly sponsored by them.

Hot dogs, burgers, tea, and coffee will be on sale from a stall run by local butchers J Jones and Son on the Market Square.