Due to the ongoing regeneration of Chesterfield town centre and market, our Christmas celebrations will feel a little different this year – but there’s still lots going on!
We've tried to answer some of your questions below.
Yes, the Christmas lights switch-on event is taking place this year.
You will find funfair rides, entertainment, and lots of stalls in the Market Place but the stage show will be outside the Town Hall this year - the stage will be located close to the Albion Road car park.
The stage show cannot take place in New Square this year due to the regeneration works taking place.
The event will be as incredible as ever with lots to see and do. The stage show will be as entertaining as always, and the lights will still be turned on with a countdown.
The Christmas lights switch-on stage show will take place outside Town Hall from 4.30pm.
The switch-on will be happening at 5.15pm with a procession back into town at 5.30pm. The lights will be turned on around the town at the same time.
There is still lots of entertainment and funfair rides in the town centre from 12 noon until 7pm
Local people were asked to vote for which character they would like to see appearing at the Christmas lights switch-on this year.
Most people voted for Bluey in the poll on the Chesterfield Market Facebook page, so Bluey is set to appear again this year.
There will be a range of meet and greet opportunities with Bluey in the town centre on 23 November.
Bluey will be in town from lunchtime onwards, the exact times will be advertised on our website and social media closer to the time.
Meet and greets are on a ‘first come’ basis, we recommend attending earlier slots, as they are often the quieter ones.
The closer we get to the lights switch-on, the busier the meet and greets are likely to become.
All our car parks will be open as usual, apart from the car park at Albion Road which will be closed for the stage show.
There will be no on-street parking on roads that have been closed (including the bays in front of the Town Hall).
Stagecoach will be planning diversions based on road closures.
A five metre artificial Christmas tree with warm white lights will be in the Market Place, close to the Market Hall and the NatWest Bank.
The tree is in a new location this year due to the regeneration works taking place in New Square. This change of location meant that the safety features needed for a real tree including guide ropes and power outlets were not available. The artificial tree is a freestanding design which still provides a wow factor.
We will have a real tree again for Switch-on 2026.
There will be Christmas lights around the town centre, and the Pavements shopping centre and the Market Hall will be decorated for the festive season.
The Town Hall will be illuminated as part of the Christmas lights switch-on event, as well as trees lit up around Shentall Gardens.
There will also be a giant screen next to the stage show where you can see images of the town's lights being turned on.
Santa's grotto is back for 2025 in the Market Hall.
It is open from 23 November on weekends, as well as every day in the last week before Christmas.
Find out more about Santa’s Grotto including all the opening times, relaxed sessions and how to book.
Santa will also be reading children a story in Tipi Christmas on Sunday afternoons.
Santa’s Grotto is £9.50 per child, plus a one-off booking fee of £1.50 per family (up to four children).
This is still one of the most affordable grottos locally, and children will receive a present when they visit Santa.
Unfortunately, we have had to increase the price to this level to cover staffing and other costs which have increased over the last few years.
You will be able to see Santa and hear him read a story for free in Tipi Christmas on Sundays.
We have a variety of themed markets taking place through the festive season, including the Artisan Market, Record Fair and the market at our Christmas lights switch-on event.
There isn't a multi-day Christmas Market due to the ongoing regeneration works in New Square, but it is something we are looking at for future years.
We are still delivering a fantastic Christmas entertainment schedule throughout the festive period.
This includes old favourites like Santa’s grotto in the Market Hall, and the Christmas lights switch-on event, but also some exciting new activities like Tipi Christmas, street performances around the market, and story time with Santa.