Thousands celebrate the festive season at Nelson Christmas Lights Switch On

Published: 24 November 2025

The festive season kicked off in style as over 9,000 people headed to Nelson town centre on Saturday for the much-anticipated Christmas Lights Switch On.

Families and friends enjoyed a day packed with live entertainment, festive treats and activities for all ages.

The main stage was the centre of attention, headlined by the phenomenal K-Dot, one of the UK’s leading voices in northern rap and bassline, whose electrifying performance wowed the crowd. With over six million Spotify streams, K-Dot brought razor-sharp lyrics and relentless energy, closing the day on an unforgettable high.

Music lovers also had the chance to sing along to their favourite hits with a top UK Taylor Swift tribute act, while local star Caitlyn Holt and sister duo Kulturess delighted audiences with rock, R&B, and rap performances.

The festive fun did not stop there, visitors were treated to a dazzling dance performance from Desi Nach, the rhythmic beats of Dhol Drummers from Harringtons Learning Centre, and a Frozen sing-along featuring Anna and Elsa, which was followed by a meet and greet.

Children were also captivated by a meet and greet with Santa in the free Santa’s Grotto and a selection box giveaway sponsored by BRSK, while craft stalls offered unique Christmas shopping opportunities, from candles to festive gifts. Street food fans indulged in delicious treats including Christmas cupcakes, churros, Korean corn dogs, and the ever-popular Pink Island Express.

A special highlight of the day was the presentation to the winners of Nelson Town Council’s ‘Decorate a Bauble’ competition, which received thousands of entries, showcasing the town’s creative festive spirit.

The three winners received special Christmas hampers, with first place going to Zoha K, second went to Eesa A and third was secured by Julia R.

The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the sky above Nelson town centre and bringing a magical close to the day’s celebrations. Families and friends gathered in awe, making it a truly unforgettable finale to a perfect festive start.

Chair of Nelson Town Council, Cllr Faraz Ahmad, said: "What an incredible day! The turnout was amazing, and there were so many fantastic activities for everyone to enjoy. It was wonderful to see the community coming together, having fun and celebrating the start of the festive season."

For more coverage from the event, visit Nelson Town Council Events on social media.