It might still be autumn, but we’re already getting into the festive spirit and inviting everyone to save the date for one of the town’s most magical nights of the year: the Christmas Lights Switch On.
This year’s lights switch on and lantern parade is due to take place on Friday 21st November in the town centre for an evening of festivities led by the Mayor of Frome, Cllr Anita Collier. Anita missed taking part in a public light switch on in 2020 due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, making this year’s event all the more meaningful.
Frome’s Christmas celebrations are all about community, creativity and of course a touch of sparkle and this year promises more of the same. As the much-loved lantern parade continues to grow, the stunning handmade lanterns will set off from the top of North Parade, lead by the joyous Jamma de Samba.
The evening will get started just before 6pm with the arrival of the mayor, with the official lights switch on taking place around 6:45pm, and of course a visit from Father Christmas. Children will have an opportunity to visit Father Christmas in his grotto from 4pm – 7:30pm at the WHY Office on North Parade – book tickets for the grotto here.
There will be a festive food court located outside Frome Library, offering up a whole host of delicious hot food, drinks and other refreshments to help warm you up from the inside out. The food court will run from 3pm – 7:30pm, so plenty of time to stop by for something warm or mulled! Many other establishments in and around town will be open as usual, serving up drinks and snacks throughout the evening.
Lantern making is at the heart of the event and it’s a great way to get creative and feel part of something special. The theme this year is ‘Peace’. Whether you’ve made a lantern before or it’s your first time, there’ll be community workshops running in the lead-up to the big night, with lantern kits also available to take home and get crafting.
Frome lantern making workshops:
Family lantern workshop (free with small charge for materials)
Saturday 1st November, 9:30am – 11:45am, Frome Library
Bring the whole family to create beautiful tall staffs decorated with hearts, doves, and leaves.
Community workshops (free with small charge for materials)
Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th November, Frome Town Hall
Make your own dove, heart, or decorated staff lantern in a fun and friendly setting.
Please go to Frome Lanterns website for more details and for bookings. Keep an eye on ours for more details of the night – but for now, add the date in your diary and let’s get ready to make Frome shine together!
