Illustration of Santa checking a long list at a desk with an elf while children peek around a door (Kettering Christmas Lights Switch On)

Kettering Christmas Lights Switch On

Visitors can explore more than thirty local stalls offering hot street food, artisan crafts, and mobile drinks across the town centre. Entertainment includes roaming street performers, traditional brass tunes played by the Kettering Town Silver Band, a light-up table football tournament, and the Lions' selfie sleigh. A towering 30-foot Christmas tree stands in the Market Place, and visitors can also stop by a Christmas Fair at St Peter and St Paul's Church.

Map It Details Official site

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Plan Your Visit

When

Hours

4pm to 7:30pm; lights on at 6:30pm.

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Town Centre

Food & Drink

More than 30 local stalls offer hot street food, artisan crafts and mobile bars.

Accessibility

A dedicated SEND quiet space is located on Sheep Street opposite the library for visitors with neurodiversity or sensory processing disorders.

Going?

Location

Kettering Market Place · Kettering, Northamptonshire NN15 7HP Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 ⚪ (4/5)

Best For

Families and festive shoppers

Vibe

Lively and festive

Energy Level

Moderate

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

Moderate

Tips & Advice

  • Arrive in time for the 6:30pm switch-on; the event runs from 4pm to 7:30pm, giving you time to explore beforehand.
  • Use the dedicated SEND quiet area on Sheep Street opposite the library if someone in your group needs a calmer sensory break.
  • Wear warm layers for an evening across Market Place, Sheep Street and High Street, as the listed activities take place outdoors.
  • Leave time to visit the Christmas Fair at St Peter and St Paul's Church, which runs during the switch-on event.
  • Browse the more than 30 local stalls for hot street food and crafts, with mobile bars also listed.

Special Events & Promotions

  • Hunt for a Hero: a local community champion, chosen by the Mayor from public nominations, helps switch on the lights.
  • A Christmas Fair runs at St Peter and St Paul's Church during the switch-on.

Links & Contact

Run by Kettering Town Council

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a quiet space?

Yes. There's a SEND area on Sheep Street, opposite the library, for anyone with neurodiversity or a sensory processing disorder who needs some quiet space.

What is there to do?

There's a light-up table football tournament, the Lions' selfie sleigh and roaming street entertainment. Kettering Town Silver Band plays traditional brass tunes, and a 30ft Christmas tree stands in the Market Place.

What food and drink is there?

More than 30 local stalls sell hot street food and artisan crafts, and there are mobile bars.

Who switches on the lights?

The Mayor picks a local hero from public nominations to join him on stage and help switch on the lights.

What else is on during the switch-on?

A Christmas Fair runs at St Peter and St Paul's Church during the event.

Browse Christmas in Kettering

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

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