THE festive season is set to be officially welcomed in next month as St Helier hosts a weekend of lights, entertainment and Christmas activities.
Taking place on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November, the celebration has been arranged to complement the start of late-night shopping to support local business, which have been encouraged to organise their own activities and special offers.
The Friday evening will consist of traditional Christmas activities along with the lights switch-on, as well as music in Parade Gardens, entertainment in town throughout the day and the popular Santa parade which will make its way through St Helier prior to the switch-on
The celebrations will continue on Saturday, with live entertainment from lunchtime onwards and a programme catered towards families and younger children.
Alongside a ‘Tiny Tots’ Switch-on earlier in the Saturday, the parish is planning a dedicated Neurodiverse/sensory-friendly switch-on to provide those who may find the noise, stimulation and crowds on the main Friday event challenging.
St Helier Constable Inna Gardiner said: “Christmas is such an important time for St Helier and I feel very strongly that we should be doing everything we can to support our high street, our independent businesses, our restaurants and everyone who works so hard to make town special”.
The parish has also established a new group bringing together retailers, hospitality businesses and other organisations with a stake in the future of the town centre.
According to the parish, the first meetings have established a clear appetite for collaborative working on new initiates, with St Helier officials now looking to create a programme of events for 2027 designed to bring more activity and reasons to visit St Helier.
Mrs Gardiner added: “More than anything, I would encourage Islanders to support local this Christmas. Come into town, explore, shop, eat, drink and enjoy everything St Helier has to offer”.
Further details of the Friday and Saturday entertainment programme, including precised timings for the parade and family events, will be announced ahead of the weekend.
