Christmas Lights Again Delight Thousands Crowding Guildford’s Streets

Published on: 25 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 26 Nov, 2019

On the High Street, Christmas lights and fireworks welcome the festive season.

Guildford’s glittering Christmas flashed alight on Thursday (November 21) to the delight of thousands flocking the streets. Festivities kicked off at 1pm to a medley of entertainment, family fun and celebration.

The Minions drew in crowds at The Friary, Santa’s Elves dashed around town encouraging the many visitors and residents to take an #ElfieSelfie and Father Christmas landed his sleigh in Tunsgate Quarter.

From 3.30pm, thousands enjoyed live performances from the Rock Choir, Godalming & Guildford Jazz Choir and local artists and musicians at the Experience Guildford stage, produced by Guildford Fringe.

The mascots pose prior to their parade.

After the traditional mascots parade, Eagle Radio’s Peter Gordon hosted the big 6pm switch-on balcony show at the Guildhall. He was joined by the cast of Sleeping Beauty, this year’s Yvonne Arnaud panto, and Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Richard Billington.

The fireworks display was spectacular, courtesy of Experience Guildford. The Business Improvement District staged performances from the ACM House Band and Latitude at the Experience Guildford Stage until close of the event at 8.30pm.

James Whiteman

James Whiteman, managing director of Guildford Borough Council, said: “The Guildford Christmas Lights switch-on is traditionally our largest and most-loved community event.

“Thank you to the thousands who attended and thank you too to all those involved in creating this magical occasion. Again, we offered dedicated quiet spaces so people could watch the event in a calm and safe area.”

Mr Whiteman added: “As a council committed to climate change, the Christmas lights are LED strings again this year, significantly reducing our energy consumption, carbon emissions and running costs.

“There are plenty of ways we can all ‘do our bit’ at Christmas. Please recycle everything you can and we give guidance about this on our website.

“You can use a ‘bag for life’ to do your Christmas shopping, leave the car and use public transport and park and ride for shopping trips. We have the largest fleet of electric buses in the South-east.

“And try to avoid single-use plastic. Even washing those party and nativity clothes at lower temperature helps.”

The “Quiet Spaces” were again organised and manned by volunteers from the social change organisation, GEEYOU, at Skipton Building Society and Caffe Nero at House of Fraser to help visitors with very young children or those with autism, dementia or high levels of anxiety.

Nick White, director of GEEYOU, said: “We provided a safe and comfortable environment without stigma or judgement. The work of our staff and volunteers ensured our ‘Quiet Spaces’ were a tremendous success.”

The switch-on, organised by GBC and Experience Guildford, with partners The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Fringe, GEEYOU and 96.4 Eagle Radio, signalled the start of the festive shopping season, with late-night opening in some stores.

This year’s official Christmas Lights charity was Real Change Guildford, raising more than £400 to support their initiatives to help the homeless leave life on the streets.

A living Christmas card from Experience Guildford.

The Guildford Little Book of Offers was also launched, listing more than 130 money-saving deals in shopping, dining, drinking, leisure and lifestyle. The book is available from Guildford Tourist Information Centre and some town businesses.

Amanda Masters

Amanda Masters, chief executive of Experience Guildford, said: “We’re delighted to again deliver another successful Christmas Lights switch-on and provide the fireworks.

“The evening turnout was fantastic and we offer huge thanks to all the partners involved and all the other guests and performers who helped make this year so special.

“With the lights now on, we look forward to a fun and fruitful festive trading season, with some great offers and events out there for shoppers and visitors, and a positive outlook for our retailers and other businesses.”

For full details of all the activities in Guildford during the run-up to Christmas, with information on the Little Book of Offers, visit www.experienceguildford.com