Father Christmas comes to Sawbridgeworth for annual lights switch-on fayre on Saturday

The countdown to Christmas officially begins in Sawbridgeworth on Saturday (Nov 30) when the town’s festive lights are switched on.

There will be a great selection of festive craft stalls in Bell Street car park with many new faces and some returning from previous years, including Lunapearl Candles, Albury House Interiors, Julie’s Scatcraft, Jules & Co Jewellery, Simply Scarlet, Brownies & Dough, SMC Candles, Trinkets & Doodads and Give Me Moore.

Hoodoo Radio will host performers throughout the event, with the Leventhorpe band kicking off proceedings, followed by Emily Piercey, Youth CREATE, the Graham School of Dance, Diverse Performing Arts and, following the lights switch-on, Unleash Your Voice will burst into festive song.

New to the fayre will be Freshwater Bar, serving Bailey's hot chocolate and hot churros, while the town’s air cadets will return with their barbecue and Sawbridgeworth and District Guides will be back selling mince pies and mulled wine. The Churchgate Sausage Shop will also provide hot food and drinks.

Father Christmas will welcome children to his new magical grotto outside the town council offices. Children enter for free and will get this year’s 2024 Christmas badge and a bag of sweets.

The fun starts at 3pm, with the lights being switched on at 6pm.

To coincide with the lights switch-on a Taste and Craft Fayre will be held at Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall in The Forebury.

An art exhibition is also being held in the memorial hall, featuring the work of five local artists.