Tamworth Christmas Lights Switch On 2025
This year's switch-on event is taking place on Saturday 29 November 2025. 12noon – 6pm (lights switch on at 5pm)
Location: Tamworth Town Centre and Tamworth Castle Grounds
N.B. This is a free event - no pre-booking or tickets are required.
Tamworth Borough Council is delighted to announce the return of the much-anticipated Tamworth Christmas lights switch-on, taking place on Saturday 29 November from 12noon to 6pm in Tamworth Castle Grounds and Holloway.
This festive celebration offers an afternoon of free entertainment, family fun, seasonal magic and community spirit.
The Castle Grounds and town centre will be transformed into a festive hub, featuring a Christmas market, family attractions, live performances, walkabout entertainment, and the main Christmas lights switch-on event, which will take place at 5pm on Castle Car Park. The switch-on will be accompanied by live music, a festive countdown, snow machines and projections on the castle.
Throughout the day there'll be a Christmas market featuring local traders, food vendors, and community stalls offering a range of festive goods and seasonal treats. Along Holloway, Barkers Fun Fair are back with traditional family-friendly attractions and rides, creating a lively and nostalgic festive atmosphere. Ankerside will also host their own indoor 'Bert & Gerts' market.
Children will be able to visit Santa’s Grotto in the Castle Grounds where they can meet Santa and his elves in a magical Christmas setting. (Small fee will apply - more info and booking here: https://www.tamworthassemblyrooms.co.uk/bookings/webevent/SantasGrotto2025 ).
During the day a community stage will host performances from local schools, dance academies, choirs and community organisations, showcasing local talent and promoting a strong sense of community pride.
Walkabout entertainers including glow-in-the-dark hula hoopers (performing at the bandstand at 4.10pm), stilt walkers and festive characters, will roam the event area, creating interactive experiences and photo opportunities for families and visitors of all ages. See the African Acrobatics Circus Fire Show on the top lawn at 4.20pm followed by the LED drummers at 4.30pm.
Tamworth Castle will also be illuminated with a projection in partnership with New Urban Era (NUE). This spectacular digital art display features animations created by South Staffordshire College, local schools, and community arts groups. Part one at 4.45pm and part 2 at 5.05pm. Plus a short animated film 'The Snail and the Whale' will be projected after that at 5.34pm.
The Tamworth Christmas lights switch-on 2025 is free to attend and open to all. With an exciting programme of festive activities, live entertainment, and community involvement, it promises to be a magical day for residents and visitors alike.
Stage line-up*:
| Time | Act |
| 12pm – 12:30pm | Rotshe Ambos |
| 12:40pm – 1:10pm | Ali Gilbert |
| 1:20pm – 1:50pm | Tamworth Community Gospel Choir |
| 2pm – 2:30pm | Tamworth Voices |
| 2:40pm – 3:15pm | Glen Chevannes & Jango Dancers |
| 3:30pm – 3:50pm | Santa Show Elves |
| 4pm – 4:30pm | Wings Theatre School |
| 4:40pm – 4:55pm | Tamworth Panto |
| 5pm | Lights Switch On |
| 5:05pm -5:30pm | Shannon The Vocalist |
*Please note that the line-up os subject to change.
Don't forget to visit the last day of St Editha's Church Christmas tree festival too - open 10am-2pm and 4pm-7pm.
Ankerside Shopping Centre doors will stay open until 6pm where Bert & Gerts craft market will also be. New Urban Era also have various activities taking place in Ankerside throughout the day and in Unit 10 there are various free Christmas workshops – lantern making and crafts etc. Amington Brass Band will be performing from 11am until 1pm.
