Let's unite to turn on our Christmas lights together across Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth - here is how you can join in

The first ever district-wide virtual Christmas lights switch-on will take place on November 27.

Warwick District Council is reminding residents to ‘light up the district’ by switching their Christmas lights on at home this year in tandem with the town centres from 5.45pm.

Following the cancellation of this year’s light switch-on events, Warwick District Council is providing the opportunity for residents to see the lights switched on in the town centres from home but also to take part with their neighbours.

The event will go live on the council’s Facebook page and YouTube channel simultaneously from 5.45pm on Friday November 27, with performances by Anna and Elsa from ‘Frozen’ and Buddy and Jovie from ‘Elf’.

The lights will be switched on from 6pm remotely by the town’s mayors, and residents are invited to switch theirs on at the same time.

People are invited to take part by sharing photos of their own lights at home and can also enter the ‘Best Decorated House Competition’, with the chance to win the opportunity to switch on the lights in their town next year.

Colouring-in sheets, homemade decorations and a ‘Big Christmas Quiz’ will also be available to download from the dedicated event page – www.warwickdc.gov.uk/lightupthedistrictCllr Richard Hales, portfolio holder for finance and business, said: “We want as many of our residents as possible to join with us in marking the start of the festive season in true Warwick district fashion.

“Though we can’t be together, we can still meet virtually to celebrate an unprecedented year in which we have seen our communities come together in the best way to support each other, and I hope to see this community spirit reflected as we see streets light up together.

“As long as we continue to observe the Government guidelines then hopefully all of our town centre businesses will be open for the Christmas season, so I would urge everyone to shop local where possible and support our businesses after what has been a difficult year for all of us.

“We would also like residents to consider more environmentally friendly methods of lighting up their home, such as using solar powered or battery timer lights. There are plenty of ways in which we can bring a little light this Christmas whilst considering the impact on our climate.”