There is the Oxford Street Christmas Lights switch on in London. There is the Manchester Christmas Lights switch on, the Edinburgh one. And of course, there is the Eton Christmas Lights switch on!
Before it’s time for the lights switch-on, there is a ticketed Carol service at the Eton College Chapel – a rare opportunity to visit this very special building.
As crowds go, you can’t actually fit in that many in Eton, which is one of the charms of our little town. It’s busy at our Christmas Lights switch on. Everyone from Eton and Eton Wick are out. People come over the bridge from Windsor and from neighbouring villages too. But the queues for the mulled wine and hot dogs are not many people deep. Everyone can see the tree without being squeezed up against a lamp post. And everyone you meet is cheerful and jolly!
The chestnut seller comes every year. There are the old school swings and carousels for the younger ones to enjoy. And once the lights are on, you are spoiled for choice of pubs and restaurants for a drink or a meal.
We asked some of this year’s visitors what they liked the most about the Eton Christmas Lights switch on.
A retired couple from Windsor said: “We come for the Carol service and enjoy seeing the children having fun.”
A family from the Clewer part of Windsor: “Our child attends Eton Porny school so we went to the chapel service as well as the lights switch-on. For such a small community, it really is a well put on event.”
A group of teenage children from nearby Eton Wick were having a great time. “We loved the atmosphere of the switch-on and the stalls selling lots of exciting things.”
If you want to find out when Eton’s Christmas Lights switch on is next year, be privy to hearing in advance of any other events happening in Eton, or just learn more about Eton and the surrounding area, do sign up to our monthly newsletter.
