No Brislington Christmas lights switch-on for 2023 but ‘big event’ planned for 2024

A neighbourhood home to some of Bristol's best high street Christmas lights will not host a switch-on this year. However, organisers of Sandy Park Road's lights in Brislington[1] say they are planning a 'big event' in 2024 to make up for it. The high street's lights will be quietly turned on tomorrow (Saturday, November 25) without the usual celebrations, which organisers said was due to 'reasons beyond our control'.

Last year, hundreds of people attended the switch-on and partied in the street.[2] There were carol singers, a Zumba performance, food stalls and entertainment, in scenes the suburb has become known for in the last weekend before December. However, this year the usual spectacle will be replaced with a more low-key illumination.

Organisers at SPLAT (Sandy Park Locals And Traders) wrote on Facebook[5]: "The Christmas lights will be going on 25th November but unfortunately we will not be holding an event due to reasons beyond our control! But we are looking to expand our team if anyone would like to be involved please let us know. "We are planning a big event for next year so will hopefully make up for this year.

A big Thankyou to all of the shops who have collection boxes and also for sponsoring the hanging baskets which have gone a long way towards funding the lights going up this year. Also Thankyou to Spirolux for sorting the lights for us." Bristol city centre's Christmas lights were turned on last week but again there was no switch-on event. Clifton[6], Wapping Wharf and Thornbury[7] have hosted switch-ons and there are still some neighbourhood events to come.

Yate[8] Shopping Centre will hold its annual switch-on tomorrow (Saturday, November 25), with festivities throughout the day culminating in the lights being turned on by Santa at around 4.30pm.

References

1. ^ Brislington (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ hundreds of people attended the switch-on and partied in the street. (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ Bath's 'world-class' Christmas Market is now open (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Some of the best Christmas events taking place across Bristol (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ Facebook (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
6. ^ Clifton (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
7. ^ Thornbury (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
8. ^ Yate (www.bristolpost.co.uk)