Christmas Lights Festival

Returning for a second year, the Christmas Lights Festival in Gainsborough is the perfect opportunity to light up your festivities with live music, vintage funfair, delicious food & drink and more!

Christmas Lights Festival - playing in the snow globe

Friday 15 and Saturday 16 November 2024
Gainsborough Market Place

Fly high in the chair-o-planes, take a ride in the vintage swing boats, or get those Christmas selfies in our GIANT snow globe! Feel the festive cheer with live entertainment from local schools and community groups, plus a live DJ set and performances from our headline act Back Chat Brass!

The market place will be filled with an assortment of merry traders offering delicious food and drink as well as an opportunity to start on your Christmas shopping with gift ideas galore. Visitors will also be kept entertained with street theatre and balloon modelling. There will also be a special post box to send your letters to Santa in time for the big day!

Please note there will be a small charge for rides. 

Christmas Lights Festival - Vintage Swings

Tokens will be available to purchase on each day (£2 for 4 tokens). Beat the queues on the day with advanced token sales available from Saturday 9 November from Alfie’s Deli in the Market Place, open Monday to Saturday 8am to 4.30pm and Sundays, 10am to 4pm.

Take a look at the 2024 programme

Friday 15 November (4pm to 8pm)

  • 4pm: Corringham Primary School
  • 4.20pm: Hillcrest Early Years Academy
  • 4.40pm: Frances Olive Anderson Primary School
  • 5pm to 5.30pm: Walkabout street theatre with Santa’s Airforce*
  • 5pm: The Gainsborough Parish Church Primary School
  • 5.20pm: Morton CE Primary School
  • 5.40pm: Rhythm in Movement Dance
  • Christmas Lights Festival - Live Performances6pm: The cast from this year’s Pantomime at Trinity Arts Centre – Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
  • 6.15pm to 6.45pm: Walkabout street theatre with Santa’s Airforce*
  • 7pm: Live DJ set to close
  • 7.30pm to 8pm: Walkabout street theatre with Santa’s Airforce*

Saturday 16 November (12pm to 8pm)

  • 12pm: Castle Wood Academy
  • 12.20pm: Queen Elizabeth’s High School
  • 1pm: Rock Choir
  • 2pm: Charlotte Turland
  • 2.30pm: Claxby Choir
  • 3pm: G-Town Dance Crew
  • 3.30pm: Wrights Way Sport Dance Group
  • 4pm to 5.45pm: Bikraley
  • 5pm to 5.30pm: Walkabout street theatre with Winter Wonderland Birds*
  • 6pm to 8pm: Back Chat Brass Band
  • 6.15pm to 6.45pm: Walkabout street theatre with Winter Wonderland Birds*
  • 7.30pm to 8pm: Walkabout street theatre with Winter Wonderland Birds*

*Please note that the walkabout street entertainment is subject to adequate weather conditions.

Please note all performances are subject to change. For the latest updates please follow Discover Gainsborough on FacebookX and Instagram.

This event has been made possible by funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, as well as generous contributions from Gainsborough Town Council, The Egg Stop Heapham, Gainsborough Building Services, Elite Signs and The Elm Cottage.

Car Parking is FREE from 6pm on Friday 15 November and all day Saturday 16 November in Council-owned car parks for the event. Please note – parking fees still apply before 6pm on Friday 15 November. See West Lindsey District Council’s Car Parks page. Please also be aware that Market Street will again be closed to passing traffic for the entirety of the event.

Christmas Lights Festival - taking a picture

Enter our FREE prize draw!

We’d love to hear your feedback following the event so please follow the link below to fill out our survey. There’s a chance to win a £100 shopping voucher and a free family cinema ticket at Trinity Arts Centre!

➡️ Complete the Christmas Lights Festival Survey ⬅️

Marshall’s Yard’s Festive Extravaganza

Double up on your festive cheer and head over to Marshall’s Yard as they launch Christmas with their festive themed extravaganza with live music and entertainment including the amazing Spark Drummers. Browse stalls selling gifts, food and drinks, plus children’s amusements and more!

Visit Marshall’s Yard’s website for more information.

For more information about visiting Gainsborough, head over to our visit and have fun pages. For regular updates follow Discover Gainsborough on FacebookX and Instagram.