Work is under way to install Christmas lights and illuminations across Bath and North East Somerset with the first switch-on taking place next week.
Bath & North East Somerset Council recently announced new four-year framework contracts for the provision of Christmas lighting across the area. This includes illuminations on streets and historic buildings in Bath.
Traditional Christmas lights will be added to the illuminations during Bath’s Christmas Market, which opens to residents from the evening of November 23rd.
The Council is also providing traditional lights to the Bath communities of Combe Down, Weston, Moorland Road and Larkhall as well as working in partnership with the three town councils on the provision of lights.
Keynsham's Winter Festival on November 25th includes an official switching on of the town’s Christmas lights. Radstock’s lights will be switched on from the Miners’ Wheel on Saturday, 26th November.
Midsomer Norton’s lights, with the focal point of a new Christmas tree in the Hollies Garden will be lit from Thursday, 24th November, as will Westfield Christmas Light switch-on.
Field & Lawn, one of the UK’s largest and leading independent providers of festive lighting, will be providing the traditional Christmas lights across Bath and North East Somerset and Fineline Lighting Ltd is supplying the projections and illuminations in Bath.
The new contracts allow the flexibility for partners such as Town and Parish Councils, businesses and sponsors to contribute to enhance Christmas lights in future years.
People will notice it is taking a little longer this year for some lights to be installed, due to longer manufacturing processes for some bespoke illuminations and the ongoing impact of driver shortages.
Councillor Kevin Guy, council Leader, said: “The switch-on of Christmas lights and illuminations in city and town centres is an exciting moment when it really feels as if the festive season is under way, creating a special atmosphere in our local communities in the run up to Christmas. Thanks to our partners across the area who are working with us to provide fantastic lighting.”