The full line-up for Blackburn’s Christmas Lights Switch-On has been confirmed, featuring a packed day of entertainment, a new undercover market, and a spectacular projection show to launch the festive season.
Everything you need to know about this year’s Blackburn Christmas Lights Switch-On, with live performances, festive markets, and the official countdown to Christmas on Saturday, November 22.
With just a month to go, the full line-up for Blackburn’s Christmas Lights Switch-On has been revealed – promising a full day of festive entertainment in the town centre on Saturday, November 22.
This year’s event is being delivered by Blackburn BID, in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Crafty Vintage, and BBC Radio Lancashire.
For the first time, a Christmas market will open under a marquee in King William Street from Friday afternoon, continuing through Saturday with stalls offering festive food, gifts, and crafts – all undercover for visitors to enjoy whatever the weather.
The main stage will return to its familiar spot near the Old Town Hall, with entertainment starting from 11am and continuing throughout the day. The line-up includes fire dancers, stilt walkers, a spectacular ice show by Ice Glitz, and singing sensation Darrell Smith – known for his BBC Proms performance of There’s a Ghost in My House.
Darrell Smith
There’ll also be appearances from Blackburn Rovers legend David Dunn, local dance schools, and community performers including Bernese Theatre School, Katrina’s Dance Academy, Blackburn Musical Theatre Company, Lancashire Dance Academy, Ella Shaw Academy of Arts, Begin2Sing, and Made for Stage.
Adding a touch of magic, Father Christmas will make a special on-stage visit, while elsewhere in the town, Culturapedia will host festive crafts and activities inside Blackburn Market, including a Winter Windows session.
The day will be hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Sharon Hartley and will finish with a spectacular projection show on the Town Hall, marking the official countdown to Christmas as the new lights are switched on.
The projection — a returning feature for Blackburn after proving popular during previous festive events — will light up the historic Town Hall in a stunning finale, instead of a traditional fireworks display.
Nicola Clayton, Chair of the Blackburn BID Board, said:
“We know how much residents and visitors love Blackburn’s lights switch-on, and this year’s event will be filled with festive favourites to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. With live entertainment, markets, and so much planned, it’s the perfect way to spend the day in Blackburn town centre.”
Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:
“Every year, thousands of people turn out for our lights switch-on events. As well as the festive markets and entertainment, it’s a great opportunity to support local traders and enjoy everything the town centre has to offer.”
🎄 A Tale of Two Switch-Ons
The Blackburn celebration follows a week after Darwen’s Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday, November 15, which will see dance star Kelly Llorenna headline a concert-style show in Darwen Market Square, alongside festive markets and rides.
While Darwen’s event centres on its main stage spectacular, Blackburn’s switch-on offers a broader daytime family experience — with community performers, street entertainment, and an extended market creating two distinct celebrations across the borough.
📅 When & Where
Blackburn Christmas Lights Switch-On 2025 📍 Blackburn Town Centre (main stage near Old Town Hall) 📅 Saturday, November 22, 2025 ⏰ Entertainment from 11am 🎠 Festive market opens Friday afternoon and runs through Saturday
✨ Blackburn’s Christmas Lights Switch-Ons Through the Years
Blackburn’s switch-on events have brought plenty of sparkle to the town centre over the years — from celebrity guests to creative spectacles that locals still talk about today.
2015 saw a star-studded line-up led by Alesha Dixon, with appearances from X Factor’s Jake Quickenden, Ella Shaw, Britain’s Got Talent’s Henry Gallagher and girl band Tiger Heart. The event, hosted by Ted Robbins, also featured special guests including Carl Fogarty, Peter Gunn, and Alex Bain from Coronation Street, with Jedward having flicked the switch the year before.
2016 brought a sci-fi spectacular, headlined by Boogie Storm — the dancing stormtroopers from Britain’s Got Talent — alongside the Batmobile, Ghostbusters car, a towering Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and a Comic Con at King George’s Hall featuring Peter Davison from Doctor Who and Tim Proctor from The Walking Dead.
Then came 2017’s unforgettable Fire Garden, transforming Blackburn Cathedral Close with flaming sculptures, fire dancers, and aerial performances high above the crowds. Children were given glow-in-the-dark wristbands, and Sam Thompson from Made in Chelsea helped light the display in what many still call the most spectacular switch-on the town has ever seen.
From dazzling celebrity line-ups to creative light installations, Blackburn’s Christmas Lights Switch-Ons have always captured the imagination.
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