Swanage lights up for Christmas with switch on event despite gales

Shoppers braved the strong winds of Storm Arwen to venture into Swanage town centre for the annual Christmas Lights switch on, while festive displays twinkled in shop windows.

Last year in 2020, the town still sparkled with Christmas lights but while we were all still in lockdown, there was no traditional switch on event.

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Swanage Christmas lights switch-on 2021
Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021
Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021
Laura Rowan

Raffle winner Mia switches on the Swanage Christmas lights assisted by Swanage Town Mayor Avril Harris and the Swanage Town Crier Andrew Fleming

The magic moment

This year, part of Station Road was closed to allow children and adults plenty of space to watch the magic moment when all the festive lights lit up the town centre.

A raffle was held to choose the lucky child who got to press the switch to turn on the lights, assisted by Swanage Town Mayor Avril Harris and the Swanage Town Crier Andrew Fleming.

Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021

Institute Road

Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021

The Christmas tree at Swanage Railway Station

Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021

The High Street

Fundraising events

There were also fundraising events to raise money for local charities #Willdoes and the Wonderful Studland Ladies.

The Swanage Chamber of Trade has organised a What’s Not My Line festive shop window competition to raise funds to buy more Christmas lights for the town. £1 to enter and competition forms from the Amber Bay shop in Institute Road. A good excuse to browse in all Swanage’s independent shop windows!

Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021
Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021
Wonderful Studland Ladies
Christmas light switch on in Swanage 2021

Swanage Town Mayor Avril Harris with surprise guest Father Christmas

Tinsel, fairy lights and Christmas trees

Although not yet December, many shops had already got out their Christmas decorations and festooned their displays with tinsel, fairy lights and Christmas trees, to coincide with the town’s Christmas light switch on.

Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage

Watch the Swanage Christmas Lights switch on event

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