COLCHESTER will be full of festive fun in November as it prepares to kick off Christmas with a light parade and evening of events.

The city’s Business Improvement District, BID, announced on Friday the return of the city centre switch on following two years of absence.

It will be the first to mark Colchester’s new city status, with bosses saying it will be “bigger and better than ever” bringing Colchester alive with lights and music.

Rather than a static light switch on event on the high street as seen in 2019, missed in the previous two years, this year’s community event will see a spectacular festive light parade through the city centre.

The parade will form up at The Mercury Theatre and on North Hill before proceeding down the High St past Fenwick, The Town Hall and The George Hotel, bringing the street to light as it passes through.

The parade ends at approximately 6pm at Firstsite after passing Castle Park and the war memorial. 

READ MORE >> Revealed: New festive light parade coming to city centre as Christmas event returns

A road closure will be in place for the duration of the procession.

The switch on parade is scheduled to take place on Wednesday November 16 from 4pm and is a free to attend event.

However, it will not be the only event happening on the evening.

This will also be the launch event for all Christmas in Colchester events, including the Late Wednesday’s programme, interactive windows, VR magical sleigh rides, the Foodbank Giving Tree campaign and so much more.

Additional entertainment will be provided by Culver Square with Christmas stalls and the opening of the VR Magical Sleigh Ride during throughout the evening of the light parade.

Firstsite will be open throughout the parade and late into the evening, providing activities, entertainment, and films for all the family to enjoy. 

It will also be holding a series of special late-night openings over the festive period for people to view exhibitions, enjoy a drink or snack from their bar, and experience live entertainment after dark in their stunning building.

Lion Walk Shopping Centre will also be hosting their festive celebrations on November 16, following their successful light switch on event last year.

Guests can expect a stage packed with great acts, entertainment, and festive spirit.

The Lion Walk Shopping Centre light switch on will take place at 7.30pm, lighting up the shopping precinct and is a free to attend event for the whole family.

BID Manager Sam Good says “My team and I are thrilled to be hosting the biggest Christmas in Colchester event to date, which is only fitting in our first year of being a city. It’s a very exciting time of year for Colchester with so much going on the light parade, which will switch on the Christmas lights city wide, is such a unique feature of this year and I’m sure it’ll be a magical event to remember.

We’re working hard to make it as accessible as possible for everyone. With the cost-of-living crisis hanging over everyone’s head this winter, we hope that this free event celebrating Christmas and the Colchester community will bring the city together for a spectacular evening of entertainment, light, and joy.”

You can find out more about what’s on throughout the Christmas period through the BIDs tourism brand InColchester by visiting christmasincolchester.co.uk .