Basildon Christmas lights switch on with fireworks and Santa's grotto confirmed after last year's cancelled

Basildon residents will see Christmas festivities as it was confirmed Christmas light switch on will be going ahead this year. The news comes after the event was cancelled last year.

The event will see a Bavarian food court with activities like Basildon’s light parades, craft stalls, and displays, alongside a Santa's Grotto, crazy golf. On the main stage, there will be shows featuring La Danse Fantastique, Flex Youth Club, Basildon Pride, the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk from Towngate Theatre and headlined by The BIG Sing Choir.

There will also be a Fireworks Finale. In addition, there will be the usual Christmas lights switch on in St Martin’s Square, a live jazz café at Towngate Theatre. READ MORE: The busy Essex street where finding a parking spot is 'impossible'

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There will also be a great laser show named “Believe in Basildon” with colourful projection of snowflakes on the M&S wall. The event is set to take place this weekend (Saturday, November 16).

Last year, Basildon residents have been left disappointed and let-down after Basildon’s annual light switch-on event was cancelled. This was due to the amount of money that it costs to put on such an event.

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