Alton Town Council warmly invites residents and visitors to join us for a magical start to the Christmas season at our Christmas Lights Switch-On and Festive Market on Friday 21st November from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Enjoy an evening filled with twinkling lights, seasonal treats and Christmas entertainment, which will be perfect for all ages!
Alton Town Council would like to say thank you to East Hampshire District Council for providing free parking from 3:00pm in Alton on Friday 21st November for the towns Christmas event. Please remember to double-check that you are parked in one of the council’s designated car parks, as other car parks and on street parking in the area may still have regular charges in place.
Here is a link to Pay and Display Car Parks in Alton https://tinyurl.com/mwt7k79t
Christmas Lights Switch-On
• Assembly Rooms: Lights on at 5:00 PM
• Market Square: Lights on at 5:45 PM
This year, Alton will once again shine with the same beloved festive lights and tree as in previous years, with some additional festive lighting along the High Street, bringing a traditional warmth and glow to our town.
Festive Attractions and Entertainment
Meet Father Christmas – Families can visit Father Christmas and post their Christmas wishes, for free at 16 Market Square from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. No registration required—just bring your Christmas cheer! We are mindful of children with SEND and will do our very best to accommodate their needs. Please make sure you are wearing your lanyard or make sure you make yourself known to the elves, if you need to.
Christmas on Stilts – Keep an eye out for a Christmas Tree and Angel on Stilts. They will be walking around the town during these times 4:00pm – 4:40pm, 5:10pm – 5:50pm and 6:20pm and 7:00pm
Christmas Market – Discover a variety of stalls across the town in The Assembly Rooms, High Street, Cross and Pillory Lane, and new for 2025 Market Street, offering unique gifts, children’s toys, a charity tombola, games, crafts, delicious food and much more.
In the Assembly Rooms there will be a quiet space set up for children or adults who need to take a break from the festivities.
Family Fun Fair – The centre of the High Street and from M&S to Cross and Pillory Lan will feature a fun fair with rides for younger and older children to enjoy.
Live Entertainment – Enjoy Christmas music, choirs and festive performances inside and outside the Assembly Rooms and Market Square, creating the perfect Christmas ambiance for all.
Inside the Assembly Rooms
3:00pm – 3:45pm
The Butts school
4:00pm – 4.45pm
Stagecoach Farnham and Alton
5:00pm – 5:45pm
King’s Pond Shantymen
6:00pm – 7:00pm
YEM Theatre School
Outside the Assembly Rooms
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Forest Players
4:00pm – 4:45pm
King’s Pond Shantymen
5:00pm – 5:45pm
YEM Theatre School
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Encore Choir
Market Square
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Alton Rock Choir
4:00pm – 4:45pm
Tilly Lukeman Vocals
5:00pm – 5:45pm
Encore Choir
6:00pm – 7:00pm
YEM Theatre School
Stilt Walkers
4:00pm – 4:40pm
5:10pm – 5:50pm Various locations
6:20pm – 7:00pm
Alton Morris
6:00pm – 6:20pm
Bottom of Cross & Pillory Lane
6:30pm – 6:50pm
Bottom of Market Street
Councillor Annette Eyre – Town Mayor of Alton said:
‘Our annual Christmas Lights Switch On and Market fills Alton with warmth, wonder and joy at this time of year. This event not only brightens our High Street but brings our community together.
I would like to thank this year’s Christmas Headlines sponsors– HSDC Alton, Specsavers Alton, Newbury Building Society, PJ Grace and Sons, Rod Haskins Ltd and Rawlings Opticians. A massive thank you to Wild House Play Café for providing Father Christmas’s Grotto, YEM, The Market Hotel and The Assembly Rooms for their invaluable support in making this event possible. I look forward to celebrating with you.’
Richard Rawling, Managing Director Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care said:
“We’re delighted to support such a special event that brings the Alton community together. The Christmas lights switch-on is always a highlight of the year, and as a local family business, we’re proud to help make it shine even brighter. Supporting our town and the people who make it such a vibrant place is at the heart of what we do at Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care.”
Tom Gaskin, Managing Director from Rod Gaskins Ltd said:
“We are delighted to be supporting Alton Town Council’s festivities again this year and would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
PJ Grace and Sons said:
“PJ Grace & Sons are pleased to be able to sponsor the Christmas Tree again this year. We wish everyone a lovely Christmas and a very happy new year!”
Polite Reminder
Road Closure 11:00am – 10:00pm FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER
Please familiarise yourself with the road closure and remove all vehicles from the laybys before the road closure is in place. The Fun Fair and installation of stalls will be happening as soon as the road closure is in place.
HIGH STREET FROM THE JUNCTION WITH LADY PLACE CAR PARK (MARKS AND SPENCER END) TO THE MINI ROUNDABOUT JUNCTION WITH NORMANDY STREET AND CHURCH STREET.
MARKET STREET, MARKET SQUARE, CROSS AND PILLORY LANE AND TURK STREET
Thank you to our 2025 sponsors
