Christmas light switch-on events in Hexham in pictures

This year's event will take place on Friday, November 22 so we took the opportunity to look through pictures of previous events.

The Christmas tree at the Abbey (Image: NQ)

The Christmas light switch-on is organised by Hexham Town Council in partnership with Hexham Community Partnership.

Visitors and residents can expect live music from various schools, carols in the Abbey and the switch-on of the Christmas tree, which has been donated by chipboard manufacturer, EGGER.

Hundreds went to see Hexham’s lights switched on in 2021 (Image: Kate Buckingham) EGGER UK has donated the town's Christmas tree, which is placed in front of the Abbey, since 2009.

The Festival of Flame outside Hexham Abbey in 2019 (Image: Kate Buckingham) The event also features the traditional light switch-on by Santa Claus himself; festive brass band music; mulled wine in the marketplace; late-night shopping; and the launch of a Magical Music Trail around Hexham’s shops. Stalls sell mince pies, hot dogs, and hot chocolate.

Vikings perform outside Hexham’s Queens Hall at the annual Christmas lights switch-on in 2019 (Image: Kate Buckingham) The Music Trail is organised by Roya Manouchehri, owner of clothing store Ralph & Mimi.

More than 70 businesses were involved in the Magic Music Trail last year, with each displaying an image, quote or dressed window related to a particular film.

Santa turned on Hexham’s Christmas lights in 2016 (Image: Kate Buckingham) Residents venture around to try and guess the movies, with one person able to win a huge hamper of goodies.

Santa Claus was joined at the Christmas lights switch-on in Hexham by the then mayor of the town Rad Hare, left, and BBC weatherman Paul Mooney in 2012 (Image: Tony Iley) In 2021, Santa switched on Hexham's lights on November 26 while carol singers gathered in the Shambles and Hexham Middle School Orchestra played carols in the bandstand.

The event in 2010 (Image: Kate Wood) 2020's event was restricted due to the Covid pandemic. Hundreds of people who traditionally headed to the town for the annual event had to stay away.

Fore Street in Hexham, during the late night shopping in 2006 after the Christmas tree lights were switched on by Santa (Image: NQ) However, the event still went ahead with town mayor Cllr Bob Hull and Tobias Zimmerman, from Egger, on hand to do the honours.

In 2019, Hexham's switch-on event included live music, a balloon entertainer, hot chocolate, a candlelit service and the Festival of Flame in Hexham Abbey.

Vikings also performed outside Hexham's Queens Hall.