This is how magnificent Christmas tree arrived in the heart of Chichester city centre - ready for the festive countdown

It was a complex operation to install the magnificent tree – which was delivered without a hitch thanks to the skill of everyone involved.

The city's Christmas lights will be officially illuminated on Saturday November 21. This year’s Christmas Lights Switch On is being delivered in partnership between Chichester BID and Chichester City Council with local heroes chosen to perform the switch-on. The Mayor of Chichester, Councillor Sean McHale, joining the judging panel. The two heroes will take to the stage near the Market Cross and officially switch on the city’s Christmas lights at 5pm, marking the start of Christmas in Chichester 2026. Festivities will get underway in the city centre during the afternoon, building towards the official switch-on, before celebrations continue across Chichester with the Light Up Chichester After Party. Natasha McLeod, CEO of Chichester BID, is on record as saying: "The Christmas Lights Switch On is always such a brilliant moment for the city and we love that our local heroes are the ones who get to do the honours. It gives us an opportunity to celebrate some of the people who make a real difference to Chichester, while bringing everyone together to mark the start of Christmas in the city. “The celebrations will continue after the switch on too, with our Light Up Chichester After Party giving everyone even more reason to make an evening of it – meeting up with friends and family and enjoying the city’s cafés, bars, pubs and restaurants. “That really sets the tone for Christmas in Chichester this year. We want the city to be somewhere people come together, whether that’s for shopping, drinks, dinner, Christmas parties, a little festive pampering, taking part in our Festive Family Day, heading off on an adventure with our Christmas trail, or simply enjoying the lights, Christmas tree and atmosphere.”