Sheffield's Christmas lights switch-on will be 'very different' this year

Sheffield's Christmas lights switch-on is still going ahead - but will be very different this year.
By Lucy Ashton
Published 22nd Sep 2020, 16:45 BST
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Council bosses have not cancelled the event but say it is under review, especially as Government restrictions continue to change rapidly.

Coun Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, leisure and parks, said: “All public events are currently under review in line with Government guidance and legislation.

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“Events are an important part of our leisure and entertainment offer as well as our economy, but public safety will always be our main priority.

A budget of £90,000 pays for the 40 metre high tree outside the Town Hall, the lights and a giant present and bauble in the Peace Gardens.A budget of £90,000 pays for the 40 metre high tree outside the Town Hall, the lights and a giant present and bauble in the Peace Gardens.
A budget of £90,000 pays for the 40 metre high tree outside the Town Hall, the lights and a giant present and bauble in the Peace Gardens.

“The current restrictions mean it is impossible to safely hold the kind of large scale events that we normally would during annual holiday periods.

"We will keep this under review but anticipate this year’s celebrations will be very different. All events on public land must be licensed and cannot go ahead in breach of Government rules.”

There are no further details about how any events might be staged.

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The lights are normally switched on in November by the Lord Mayor and the cast of the Lyceum pantomime, though the panto has already been cancelled this year.

The event attracts 25,000 people to the city centre and is a major boost for the economy with Santa’s grotto, carolling, street entertainment, markets, children’s TV and film characters, craft activities and fairground rides.The event attracts 25,000 people to the city centre and is a major boost for the economy with Santa’s grotto, carolling, street entertainment, markets, children’s TV and film characters, craft activities and fairground rides.
The event attracts 25,000 people to the city centre and is a major boost for the economy with Santa’s grotto, carolling, street entertainment, markets, children’s TV and film characters, craft activities and fairground rides.

The event attracts 25,000 people to the city centre and is a major boost for the economy with Santa’s grotto, carolling, street entertainment, markets, children’s TV and film characters, craft activities and fairground rides.

The illuminations start at Castle Street and cover Angel Street and the Haymarket then move up Fargate, taking in Barkers Pool, and along Pinstone Street.A budget of £90,000 pays for the 40 metre high tree outside the Town Hall, the lights and the giant present and bauble in the Peace Gardens.

Last year the council splashed out on brand new illuminations for the first time in years. There are 15 cross street decorations, 50 lamp columns, 1.5 miles of decorations and 4,000 LED lights on the tree.

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Thousands braved the wet weather to attend the switch-on ceremony, as it officially marked the start of the festive season in Sheffield.

Local lad and X-Factor star Jake Quickenden hit the big switch to light up the city from the Peace Gardens stage and he was joined by Britain's Got Talent's Siobhan Phillips and local BGT star Kyle Tomlinson.

Related topics:SheffieldLord MayorGovernment