Kendal gears up for Mountain & Sky Christmas Lights Switch-on

Following the success of the 2022 event, Kendal Town Council’s Mountain and Sky Lights Switch-on will once again team up with the famous Mountain Festival to kickstart the Christmas season.

Residents are invited to Kendal Mountain Festival Basecamp, at Abbot Hall Park for welcome films at 5pm. A colourful family parade, led by Drum Nation and stilt walkers, will leave the Festival’s basecamp at 5.30pm, making its way up Highgate and Stricklandgate into Market Place. All are welcome to join in the festive parade.

Father Christmas and his sleigh will be in Market Place from 5pm, and there’ll be mulled wine, music and a classic fairground ride to add to the Christmas magic. As the parade reaches the square, Growing Singers will perform songs celebrating the joy of the great outdoors.

The Mayor of Kendal will lead the countdown to the light switch on, but not before a Kendal Mountain Festival special! Spectators will be invited to look to the skies as renowned Slackliner Lukas Irmler performs his daredevil antics overhead.

For those wishing to continue the festivities, Ragtag Arts will be in Finkle Street and children will have the chance to meet Lukas and test their balance with a slackline taster. All the while, a few stalls will offer a chance to enjoy some food and drink.

Cllr Helen Ladhams, chair of Kendal Town Council’s Christmas Lights and Festivals committee said: ‘The partnership with Kendal Mountain Festival was such a success last year, we’re delighted to be working with the team again to bring Kendal residents a lights switch-on to remember. We’re so lucky to have international acts like Lukas here in Kendal, and of course to have such an incredible array of local talent and supporters to make this community event so special’.

The Mountain and Sky Christmas Lights Event is 5-8pm on Thursday 16 November 2023. For more info and updates follow the Kendal Christmas Lights Switch On Facebook Page.

Special thanks go to Kendal Mountain Festival, Kendal BID and Town Councillors for their support in making this event happen.