Coventry light switch-on to be replaced by Festival of Christmas

Jaspreet Kaur

12 November 2024 at 9:09 am·2-min read

It will be held on Wednesday, November 20 — -Credit: (Image: Coventry City Council)

Families will be able to enjoy a host of 'magical' performances at a Christmas-themed event in Coventry. It will be held in the city centre next Wednesday (November 20).

Coventry City Council announced earlier this year that the much-loved Christmas light switch-on would be replaced by the Festival of Christmas. Bosses cited 'financial pressures' as the reason behind the shake-up, as previously reported by CoventryLive.

Visitors can instead look forward to a host of unique roaming acts across the city centre, including on Broadgate and Millennium Place. Kids will also be able to enjoy an enchanting evening of performances and storytelling with Santa Claus.

Drummers Spark! will be bringing stunning costumes and dynamic choreography to Broadgate. Families can also enjoy fire juggling from FlameOz.

Councillors say the jam-packed Festival of Christmas event combines classic attractions with creative performances, which have been promised to be 'special.' It will be held from 4pm to 9pm on Wednesday, November 20.

Alongside the Festival of Christmas, the 100ft Big Wheel and Christmas Market are returning to the city centre and will open this Friday (November 15). Both will operate every day until Sunday, January 5, except for Christmas Day.

Coventry City Council will also be offering free parking in the city centre to coincide with late-night shopping in the run-up to Christmas. It will be in place for entry after 3pm on the following dates in November and December:

Wednesday, November 20
Wednesday, November 27
Wednesday, December 4
Wednesday, December 11
Wednesday, December 28

Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council and Cabinet Member for Events, said: “We are delighted to be hosting our very own free Festival of Christmas this year. Christmas is always a special time in the city centre, and we are really pleased to be expanding the celebration outside of Broadgate to utilise fantastic venues and spaces, such as the Cathedral Ruins and Millennium Place.”

He added: “Christmas in Coventry is going to be so special this year. I would encourage everyone to come along to these events and enjoy some festive cheer.”

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