Hailsham to welcome the festive season with grand Christmas lights switch-on

The countdown to Christmas will officially begin in Hailsham on Friday 27 November, when the town centre is transformed into a festive celebration of music, entertainment, seasonal shopping and family fun.

Hailsham Town Council, working alongside local community organisations, is preparing an afternoon of Christmas festivities across Vicarage Field and the High Street, with activities running from 1pm until 7pm and the much-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on taking place at 6pm.

With a packed programme of live performances, a fully booked Christmas market, festive refreshments and a special celebrity guest, this year's event promises plenty of opportunities for residents and visitors to get into the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas market will feature a diverse selection of independent traders and small businesses, offering everything from handmade gifts and accessories to seasonal treats, crafts, beauty products and homeware.

This year's confirmed market traders are:

• Kie's Tasty Temptations  (homemade cakes)

• Misty Acres (fresh flowers)

• One of a Kind (accessories and children's clothing)

• Ace Knits & Bits (knitting supplies)

• The Rum Infusionist (unique rum products)

• Sweet Kettle Bakes (baked goods)

• Tropic Ambassador (skincare and make-up products)

• Sprout & Stone Crystals (crystals and wellbeing products)

• Unique Crochet (crocheted craft items)

• Love 1918 (hand-poured wax melts)

• Debbie's Crafty Creations (craft products)

• Maison de Valerie (home décor and accessories)

• LAW Designs (handcrafted jewellery)

• Scrumdiddlyumptious (vintage and retro sweets)

• Personal & Sassy (home décor products)

• Caromacare (vegan skin remedies)

• Polly's Patchworks (quilts and craft products)

• Dreamweaver Kids (children's clothing)

• Everything Spice Bakery (baked goods)

• Claire Carlos (face painting)

• Gill Heasman (painted gifts)

• Vernon Print (children's Christmas games)

• Hailsham Lions (candy floss)

• Hailsham Foodbank (tombola)

There will also be plenty to tempt hungry visitors, with a wide choice of food and drink available throughout the afternoon. Options will include pizza, hog roast, coffee, crepes, bratwurst, jacket potatoes, chips, burgers, mulled wine, hot chocolate and marshmallows.

Music and entertainment will feature prominently throughout the celebrations, with performances from The Sussex Stompers and Con Brio, alongside Christmas carols from pupils at Hailsham Academy and Hailsham Academy Primary. Hailsham Choral Society will also take to the stage, adding to the festive soundtrack.

Hailsham FM will be broadcasting live from the town centre, bringing the atmosphere of the celebrations to listeners, while Hailsham Rotary Club will be helping to create some extra Christmas magic with a special appearance by Father Christmas.

One of the highlights of the afternoon will be the arrival of actor Jonathan Linsley, who will take centre stage at 6pm to officially switch on Hailsham's Christmas lights. Recognised for his appearance as Ogilvey in the films Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Jonathan will add a particularly memorable touch to the occasion by carrying out the switch-on dressed in his Pirates of the Caribbean costume.

Following the lights ceremony, visitors are invited to continue the festivities at Hailsham Parish Church, where complimentary hot chocolate and marshmallows will be available.

Tony Lee, Operations and Facilities Manager at the Town Council, said: "Putting together an event of this scale involves a tremendous amount of preparation, from coordinating the market and entertainment to organising the practical arrangements needed to bring the town centre to life for the afternoon."

"Our aim is to create an enjoyable and memorable occasion for everyone, while giving local traders and community organisations an opportunity to showcase what they do. We hope people will make an afternoon of it, explore the market, enjoy the entertainment and join us for the big switch-on."

Corporate Services Manager Karen Giddings added: "The Christmas Lights Switch-On is one of those occasions when Hailsham really comes together, and it is wonderful to see so many local people, businesses and organisations contributing to the celebrations."

"The Christmas market is now fully booked, which is fantastic news and means visitors will have plenty of choice when looking for unusual gifts, handmade products and festive treats. We are also looking forward to seeing our local schools and choirs perform, as well as welcoming families who come along year after year to enjoy the occasion.

"We are delighted with the variety of traders who have signed up this year, and the programme offers a fantastic mix of music, performances, food and seasonal activities. We are particularly looking forward to welcoming Jonathan Linsley, whose involvement is sure to bring an extra element of excitement to the Christmas lights ceremony."

To allow the celebrations to take place safely, Hailsham High Street will be closed to traffic from approximately 11am until 9pm on Friday 27 November.

For further information about the Christmas Lights Switch-On, contact the Town Council on 01323 841702.