THE night sky across Oxfordshire will soon be twinkling with the magic of Christmas lights.

It’s the time of year when communities in Oxfordshire gear up for Christmas, showering their towns with lights and festive decorations.

Lights in Oxford city centre have already been put up in Queen Street, Cornmarket Street and St Aldate’s and will flicker into action on November 21, marking the start of the Christmas Lights Festival.

The city will come alive with a host of festive events from November 21 to 23, despite the popular lantern parade being cancelled this year.

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But there are due to be big switch-on events across the county, including Oxford, over the next few weeks.

Banbury, Bicester, Didcot, Abingdon, Wantage, Wallingford, Thame, Carterton and Burford are all hosting their own switch-on events to get people in the festive spirit.

Elaine Hornsby, chairwoman of Wallingford In Business, organised this year’s war-themed Christmas lights switch-on in Wallingford.

Oxford Mail:

  • Turning on Banbury lights last year, from left, Kirsty Leahy from Banbury Sound; Cllr Lowrie Stratford, chairman of Cherwell District  Council; Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale; Lesley-Anne Turner, wife of Banbury mayor Nicholas Turner; Luke Froude, Banbury champion of champions winner; and mayor of Banbury Councillor Nicholas Turner

She said: “It’s a completely different event to last year.

“Because there are so many anniversaries for the First and Second World Wars, we wanted to fundraise for SSAFA – the oldest military charity.

“We thought it would be appropriate to do something jolly so we’ve set it at the end of the Second World War when the Americans arrived. The whole event is centred on the businesses and the people of Wallingford.”

Didcot switches its lights on just before 4pm on Thursday, November 27.

Town councillor for Didcot, John Ord said: “The spirit of goodwill is all year round but particularly at Christmas time which is a special time in people’s lives – we’re here together as a community.

“I think the lights do bring people together, especially because lights in a dark winter attract attention and bring the community together.’’ Carterton mayor Lynn Little said: “Our Christmas lights are brand new and we have a new market square that has been done up. There are lots more Christmas stalls and entertainment. We will also have VIPS turning on our Christmas lights.’’ One of those VIPs is Ted Little, the plucky little bear featured previously in the Oxford Mail for flying around the world with RAF Brize Norton’s 99 Squadron.

Changes have been made to the usual Oxford celebrations, which will not include the lantern parade this year.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail previously, city council leader Bob Price said police had raised issues around safety in the city centre.

THE SWITCH-ONS

  • Oxford November 21. Time to be confirmed.
  • Bicester Thursday, December 4, on Sheep Street. Starts 4.30pm. Lights switched on 7pm by the mayor. Ends 8pm
  • Banbury Sunday, November 30, outside the Town Hall, from 2pm. Lights switched on at 5.30pm by Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter Barlow, in Coronation Street
  • ABINGDON Saturday, November 29, at the Market Place, 10am to 6pm, culminating in the switch-on
  • Wallingford Sunday, December 7. Starts at noon. Finishes 5pm
  • Didcot Thursday, November 27 Starts at 4pm (Street fair) Lights switch on just before 4pm. Finishes at 9pm
  • WANTAGE Friday, December 5, at the Market Place. Events from 6pm to 9pm
  • Carterton Friday, November 28. Lights switched on 6pm
  • Burford November 30. Starts at noon. Lights are switched on at 4.30pm.
  • Thame Friday, December 5. Lights switched on at 7.05pm. Guest to be confirmed.


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