A magical Christmas Lights Switch On
A magical Christmas Lights Switch On
APRIL 23, 2020
Most commonly held in November, Christmas Lights Switch On events can be beautiful and festive nights which attract large crowds to join in carol singing, mince pie-eating and mulled wine sipping. Marking the beginning of the holidays, and for many - the official start to Christmas shopping - a Christmas Lights Switch On event conveys the personality of a town or shopping centre.
Build hype
When planning such a large scale event, sometimes the advertising of the event itself is left til last with the least thought. Try something in theme with your event and invite characters (such as Elves for example) to hand out flyers or perform mini shows to give your potential guests a taster of what they can enjoy.
Draw a crowd
For shopping centres and towns, a Christmas Lights Switch On demands a large turnout to make such a large space look busy, so it’s essential to invite a figure that will attract attention and attendees, whether it be a celebrity guest, lookalike or public character (for example, the Grinch Impersonator).
The parade
For shopping centre clients we have worked with, we have found that it is highly popular to conduct a festive parade leading up to the actual light switch on as the final stop, sometimes this is held on a stage or podium. Consider that during a parade you will need acts which are large or tall enough to be seen by the majority of onlookers and visually exciting enough to attract a crowd, or if it’s a musical act - loud enough to be heard by all. As this style of event is held during the evening, capitalise on it being dark and use illuminated acts to guide your guests, here is a selection of vibrant acts which can help light the way:
Utilise your space
Whether a shopping centre or high street - make the most of the space rather than congregating around one point as this will isolate your guests at the back of the crowd. Invite walkabout acts (we recommend Stilt Walkers as they can be seen by many) to mingle with guests and involve everybody in the fun. Mini shows we find attract attention include:
Put on a show
Mark the beginning or the end of the event by putting on a stage show with multiple acts to entertain the crowd, to warm them up or to invite them to participate in competitions or activities you are hosting as part of your event. If you’re looking for a comedic Master of Ceremonies, look no further than our highly requested Grinch Impersonator, a guaranteed crowd-please who gets your guests giggling and loves to head Whobilation proceedings. As well as being a fantastic option for the parade, our LED Drummers are an exhilarating act when they perform on stage.
Capture the moment
Create ‘elfie stations’ for your guests to capture the moment, use props to set the scene and display your social media information to create a buzz on social media - it’s also a great idea to capture photos of the event to promote for the following year. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas Lights Switch On without the guest of honour - you know, the man with the bag - Santa! Book a quality Father Christmas act who will guarantee a queue of excited children and happy camera-ready parents.
If you would like to speak to our Creative Team for assistance with planning your Christmas Lights Switch On event, please feel free to book a free Creative Consultation or give us a call here and we’d be happy to help.
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