One of the town’s favourite annual celebrations is lighting up the town once again on Friday 21st November. This year it’s set to be bigger, brighter and bursting with festive fun. 2025’s event sees some important changes, designed to make it safer and more inclusive for everyone.
From 3pm – 7:30pm, the Cattle Market car park will be transformed into a vibrant food court, packed with delicious seasonal treats to keep you cosy as the evening draws in. There’ll be fairground rides and entertainment for all ages to enjoy, while the Frome Town Band and Frome Street Bandits bring the party atmosphere with joyful live music.
The excitement will really begin to build just before 6pm, when Frome’s fabulous Town Crier will herald the arrival of Mayor, Cllr Anita Collier. Stilt walkers will be roaming the streets, dazzling crowds with their height and grace and talented local singers will join the Mayor on the George Hotel balcony to add some extra sparkle to the evening.
Then comes the magical moment: the lantern parade, led by the Samba band. This year’s parade will start at North Parade car park (not St John’s Church) and process towards the Christmas tree. Barriers will be in place along Market Place to the bridge, creating a clear path for the parade. After the parade, Mayor Anita will lead the crowd in a countdown to the switching on of Frome’s Christmas lights.
For families with little ones, don’t forget to book a visit to Santa’s Grotto at the We Hear You office. The grotto will be raising funds for the wonderful local charity. Spaces fill up fast so book ahead.
Frome’s festive switch-on is a free, fun-filled evening for all ages. So grab your hats and scarves, bring your lanterns and lets kick off the most wonderful time of the year!
Our food traders are looking forward to welcoming you to the food court outside Frome Library from 3pm:
🍷 Moo & Two and More Wines collaborate to bring you warming mulled wine and apple juice
🥤 Hedgerow Cordials offering their delicious handmade drinks and mulled cider
🧇 The Crumpeteers selling their usual crumpet-y treats and hot drinks
🍕 Natural Flames will have pizzas and chips on offer, as well as hot drinks and churros
🥘 Grill Forty Four bringing you tasty pulled pork buns and vegan chilli nachos
🌭 Owen’s Sausages & Hams selling their yummy sausage goods
🍨 Gabby’s Ice Cream offering ice creams and hot waffle desserts
Local eateries will be staying open to welcome you on the night, including:
🥘 The High Pavement for delicious North African-inspired tapas and small plates.
🍷 The Stores, offering mulled wine to have in or takeaway if you fancy.
🥐 Rye Bakery at RISE for cakes, pastries, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks to warm up punters before heading out to watch the spectacle.
🍷 Archangel will be supplying mulled wine on their bar
🍕 Rye Bakery at Station Approach, with their usual bakery offerings, as well as mulled cider, wine and hot chocolate to catch those heading to that side of town.
🍲 Flow Bar will be offering deals on mulled wine and cider, warm rolls and soup to keep you feeling toasty.
🥧 The Blue House will also be running a stall, serving up more mulled wine, mince pies and sausage rolls.
Information on travelling, road closures and accessibility
With the town centre set to welcome hundreds of visitors for the switch-on and lantern parade, attendees are strongly encouraged to walk or wheel wherever possible to help ease congestion and reduce environmental impact.
A number of road closures and restrictions will be in place on the evening to ensure the safety of all. These include the town centre being closed to traffic from 4pm – 9pm to allow for the lantern parade and the crowds gathering. If you do need to drive, please check signage carefully and plan alternative routes.
– Merchant’s Barton (68), Vicarage Street (17) and Badcox (22) car parks will remain open. Merchant’s Barton is recommended for those with access needs, and a step-free viewing area near the Christmas tree will be reserved for those who need it.
– Cork Street and North Parade car parks will close from 4:30pm, and Cattle Market from 5:30pm. The filter lane from Cattle Market to Welshmill Road will stay open throughout.
In addition to these event-related closures, there are also ongoing road closure at Wallbridge.
Full details of road closures and traffic management can be found via the links below:
– Ongoing works at Wallbridge: one.network – GB38895177
– Town centre closures for the event: one.network – GB40692052
Road closures affect all bus services in the town centre between 4pm and 9pm. The D2 and D2X will start and end at the Vine Tree pub, towards Bath and Sainsbury’s. The X34 Faresaver bus will divert via Fromefield. Other local buses on 21 November will terminate/divert outside the town centre between 4pm and 9pm. There will be notices in relevant bus stops.
The taxi rank at Cork Street will be relocated to Saxonvale, next to the pedestrian access into Kingsway Precinct.
Bucket collection
As ever, donations from the night will support the Frome Christmas Get Together – please give generously to the official bucket collectors.
Lantern making workshops:
All lantern workshops with Frome Lanterns have now passed, but there is still plenty of time to buy a kit and make your own from home. Kits are available to buy at Frome Town Hall and the Discover Frome Information Point. Please go to Frome Lanterns website for lantern inspiration. We can’t wait to see what lanterns you create – make sure the date is in your diary and let’s get ready to make Frome shine together!
