The Big Switch On 2024 in Cambridge: All the details for city’s Christmas lights events
The Christmas season will be ushered in when Cambridge’s Big Switch On event takes place on Sunday (17 November).
A stage will be set up in the market square, with Star Radio hosting from midday, with a lively line-up of local performing arts clubs, choirs and dance troupes among those due to perform (see the full schedule below) before the lights go on at 5pm.
The full line-up for the event, organised by Cambridge BID, is:
12pm Vintage Rec
12.20pm Jolly Old Time Entertainment
12.40pm Coleridge Community College - Carnival crew Drummers
1pm Coleridge Community College - Funk Band
1.40pm All Star
2pm On Stage Performing Arts
2.20pm Razzamatazz
2.40pm Vocal Remix
3pm Collaboration Choir
3.20pm Target Dance
3.40pm 4D Dance
4pm Safira
4.40pm ADC Theatre Panto Stars
5pm The Big Switch On
Meanwhile, there will be lots of activity in the Grand Arcade.
Delivered in partnership with Cambridge Carbon Footprint, an Elf Repair Café will give broken, or well-loved items a second life between 1pm and 4pm on Sunday (17 November).
The skilled ‘elves’ - experienced repairers - will be inside Mrs Claus’ Grotto on the first floor of the shopping centre to help you fix or refresh items, from beloved Christmas decorations to broken toys or essential festive kitchen appliances.
Meanwhile, a Christmas Jumper Swish will also take place in Mrs Claus’ s Grotto from 1-4pm where you can swap your old jumpers for a new-to-you festive sweater.
The Grand Arcade’s Christmas celebrations will also feature singers, dancers and choirs in the lead up to the city centre’s light switch on at 5pm.
The shopping centre was transformed this week into a winter wonderland where you can be serenaded by Reindeer Rhapsody, meet the jolly Yuletide Yeti, who will be cooking up some winter cheer, and drop off a letter to Santa at the magical Talking Letterbox.
The city centre’s Big Switch-on is sponsored this year by Bright Horizons, which provides early years care and education for children aged three months to five years at almost 300 nurseries in the UK. It has two new sites on Cambridge Biomedical Campus and Milton Road.
Leah Dunne-Kealy, talent acquisition manager at Horizon, says “We wanted to sponsor this year’s Christmas lights switch-on, as we are always looking for ways to connect with our local community and promote the early years sector as a rewarding and important careers path - for anyone who wants to make a difference to the next generation.
“During a time of celebration, where connection and family is really evident, this felt like a great partnership opportunity.”
And the festivities are already under way.
Cambridge BID turned on the Christmas lights in the CB1 area on Thursday evening, in partnership with Star Radio, whose drivetime presenter Josh Lovatt did the honours and played some Christmas tunes at an event sponsored by Fora, which runs workspace in Station Road.
