Festive fever hits Tamworth with Christmas Lights Switch-On

• Tamworth Borough Council’s FREE lights switch-on event booked for November 27
• Food and drink stalls, walkabout characters and live entertainment
• Return of Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman projection screening on the outside of the castle

The yuletide season will be kicked off in style at the end of this month as the town prepares for the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On and an afternoon of festive entertainment for the whole family.

Tamworth Borough Council is delighted to be able to spread the Christmas spirit with residents and visitors through the annual lights switch-on event on Sunday, November 27.

The fun kicks off at 2pm with food and drink stalls, fairground rides, walkabout characters and face painting.

Entertainment will centre around a stage set in St Editha’s Square, with a variety of live performances from 3pm, including RockSchool, D-Day Juniors, Bryan Brindley and the Tamworth Pantomime Company. Plus, don’t miss an extra special visit from the main man Santa making an appearance with the Tamworth Rotary Club prior to the main event of the light switch-on at 5pm.

Following the huge success of last year, Tamworth Castle will be lit up again with an animated short 20–30-minute showing of the festive film The Snowman, projected on the outside of the castle at 5.30pm.

The film tells the story of a young boy who builds a snowman which comes to life and takes him to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus. No Christmas is complete without hearing the classic ‘Walking in the Air’ soundtrack – so join us and sing along.

New Urban Era (NUE), Tamworth arts group will also be screening a new showreel on the castle that will include performances from Amington Band, Tammy Land Girls, 2nd Glascote Girl Guides, BFAB dance and local schools.

NUE have delivered online art workshops at schools on the run up to the event with over 300 children participating. Some of the artwork will be included in the showreel along with works from professional artists.

Residents are also invited to submit artwork to be considered for the screening by emailing: weareangelstamworth@gmail.com.

Vic Brown, founder of NUE said: “After the huge success of last year’s Tamworth Castle Christmas projection, we are excited to be screening a brand new showreel at the Christmas Light Switch-On event.

“This year we have invited a diverse range of groups to participate in the project including the fantastic BFAB performing arts group.

“Amington Band have provided some of the backing music for the project that will showcase local talent of all ages and abilities. It will be a truly impressive screening projection on the iconic walls of our great castle monument.”

Timetable for the day:

Walkabout characters from 2pm

Santa and sleigh - 3.30pm

RockSchool - 3.30pm

D-Day Juniors - 3.45pm 

Bryan Brindley - 4.00pm

Tamworth Pantomime Company - 4.35pm

The Mayor of Tamworth - 4.55pm

Christmas lights switch-on – 5pm

NewUrban Era – Silent Night Projection on the castle – 5.10pm – 5.30pm

The Snowman Projection (castle) - 5.30pm – 5.55pm

Councillor Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “It’s incredible how fast another year has flown by. This is a very popular event in our calendar of free entertainment for residents and visitors, and it’s a lovely festive family day out.

“Christmas in Tamworth is special because of the amazing local community we have. We’re delighted that RockSchool, D-Day Juniors, along with other local groups, will be performing for us, and we are excited to see the new NUE project from local groups who are contributing to the castle projection this year.”

If you are a trader and would like to set up a stall as part of this year’s lights show, please email TARartsdevelopment@tamworth.gov.uk or contact Mark Kyte of Tamworth Lions by emailing him at mark.kyte@tamworthlions.org.uk.