Date Published 13 November 2025
The event to switch on the Christmas lights will take place in Pond Square in Highgate Village on Wednesday 19th November from 4pm – 5pm. There will be festive tunes from the Highgate Brass Ensemble and special guests Rupert Grint and Alex Zane will be hosting the event.
Prior to the event, Riverstone Hub will be hosting Father Christmas between 3 - 4pm for young children, and post switch on drinks for adults. If you would like to attend this part of the event you will need to register your attendance using the following link:
https://www.riverstoneliving.com/events/festive-aperitivo-hour
To help inspire all, here are a few facts about the magic of Christmas Lights.
The Magic of Christmas Lights: Bringing Joy and Warmth to the Winter Season🎊🎉
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there's something truly magical about the soft glow of Christmas lights twinkling in the night. Whether it's a simple string of warm white bulbs draped across a porch or an entire yard transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland, Christmas lights have a way of capturing the spirit of the season — joy, hope, and togetherness.
The History of Christmas Lights💫💥
The tradition of lighting up the holidays began a long before electricity. In the 17th century, people in Germany would place small candles on Christmas trees to symbolize the light of Christ. When Thomas Edison's team invented the first practical light bulb in the late 1800s, his associate Edward H. Johnson took things to the next level. He hand-wired 80 red, white, and blue electric bulbs around his Christmas tree in 1882.
By the 1920s, electric Christmas lights became more common, making the tradition safer and more accessible. Today, they've evolved into an art form all their own, from LED icicles and programmable colour displays to community-wide festivals of lights.
More Than Decoration 🏕⛄
Beyond their beauty, Christmas lights are about connection. They invite neighbours to smile as they drive by, bring families together to decorate, and remind us that even in the darkest winter nights, there's light to be found.
So this year, whether you hang a single strand or create a glowing masterpiece, let your lights shine bright, not just for decoration, but as a beacon of warmth, love, and community.
We would like to thank the principal sponsors, Highgate School, Channing School, Streathers Solicitors, Riverstone, Urban Baristas & Bishops Avenue Gardens.
Highgate Village Christmas Lights are organised by Prickett & Ellis, Taylor Gibbs & Winkworth.
It's still not too late to donate. Any further donations would be greatly received using the following Just Giving page.
https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/james-wilkinson-226
