The countdown to Christmas is officially underway, with towns and villages across Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire preparing to sparkle with festive lights, Christmas markets, Santa visits and family entertainment.

From spectacular lights switch-ons and lantern parades to Victorian Christmas fairs and festive shopping evenings, there are plenty of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit throughout November and December.

We've rounded up the confirmed dates and details of Christmas lights switch-ons and festive celebrations across our local area for 2026.

Milton Keynes and Surrounding Towns

Midsummer Place, Central Milton Keynes

Saturday 14 November – Thursday 24 December 2026

Midsummer Place is bringing something new to Milton Keynes this Christmas with its Gingerbread Shed Festival.

Working in partnership with WD-40 and Men in Sheds, the shopping centre will host a trail of specially decorated gingerbread-themed sheds, each created by a local business or organisation to support a chosen charity.

Visitors can explore the colourful displays, vote for their favourites and help local good causes win a share of the festival's charity prize fund.

The festive trail opens on Saturday 14 November and continues until Christmas Eve.

centre Christmas Celebrations

Saturday 14 November onwards

Christmas celebrations begin at centre with the opening of Starlight Square in Middleton Hall on Saturday 14 November.

Running until Sunday 3 January 2027, the attraction features a Very Merry Christmas Market, a traditional carousel, helter-skelter, children's train ride and a virtual reality Santa sleigh experience.

The shopping centre's annual Santa Parade takes place on Friday 20 November at 5.30pm, marking the opening of its Magical Visit with Santa and The Snowman experience, which runs until Christmas Eve.

A separate official switch-on date for the wider Central Milton Keynes Christmas lights has not yet been confirmed.

Stony Stratford Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 21 November 2026 – Lights on at 5.30pm

One of Milton Keynes' most popular Christmas celebrations returns to Stony Stratford, bringing a full day of entertainment to the historic High Street and Market Square.

Festive stalls open from 9am, with live music, dancing, street food, a funfair and Santa's grotto throughout the day.

WatlingFest will showcase local musical talent on the Market Square stage from 12.10pm, while a programme of dancing and street entertainment will keep visitors entertained.

The traditional lantern procession will leave Horsefair Green at 4.45pm, arriving in Market Square ahead of the big Christmas lights switch-on at 5.30pm.

Community carol singing will follow the illumination of the town.

Wolverton Christmas Lights Switch-On

Friday 27 November 2026 – 5pm to 7pm, lights on at 6pm

The Square in Wolverton will host a free Christmas celebration, with an expanded festive light display and entertainment for the whole family.

Organised by Wolverton and Greenleys Town Council, the event will feature live performances from local schools, Churches Together and Sing Space Choir, with Horizon Radio collaborating on the entertainment.

Father Christmas will make a special appearance, while Foundation House will host circus workshops with The Great Gappo and a Christmas letter-writing activity.

There will also be festive gift stalls, local traders, food vendors and refreshments.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm.

Newport Pagnell Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 28 November 2026 – Stalls from 10am, lights on at 5pm

Newport Pagnell High Street will be transformed for its annual Christmas lights switch-on celebrations.

A full day of festive stalls and seasonal shopping begins at 10am, giving visitors the opportunity to browse gifts and enjoy the atmosphere before the town's Christmas lights are illuminated at 5pm.

The festive celebrations continue the following weekend with Newport Pagnell's Christmas Tree Festival, taking place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December.

Bletchley – Christmas on Queensway

Saturday 5 December 2026 – 12pm to 4pm

Christmas on Queensway returns to central Bletchley following the regeneration works in the town centre.

Organised by Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council, the free family event will feature Santa's grotto, street food, local market stalls, fairground rides, face painting and children's characters.

Christmas choirs and live performances will provide entertainment throughout the afternoon.

The celebrations take place on Queensway from midday until 4pm.

Olney – Christmas Lights at Cowper & Newton Museum

Friday 27 November 2026 – From 5pm

Father Christmas will visit the Cowper & Newton Museum to switch on the festive lights in the museum's beautiful gardens.

Families can join the countdown as the Flower Garden and Summer House Garden are illuminated at 5pm.

Children can also meet Father Christmas in his grotto between 5pm and 7pm for £3, including a small present.

Special evening admission to the gardens and museum is £4 for adults, while children aged 16 and under can enter free. Annual pass holders also receive free entry.

The museum will remain open until 8pm as part of Olney's late-night Christmas shopping celebrations.

Olney – Dickens of a Christmas

Sunday 6 December 2026 – 10am to 4pm

One of the area's most distinctive Christmas events returns to Olney as the town steps back in time to Victorian England.

Dickens of a Christmas will fill the Market Place and High Street with traditional stalls, craft fairs, Victorian-themed entertainment, street performers and festive music.

Visitors can enjoy performances from Olney Brass Band, browse Christmas gifts and sample seasonal food and drink.

The event takes place from 10am until 4pm, with the Cowper & Newton Museum also hosting special festive activities.

Woburn Sands Christmas Fayre

Sunday 29 November 2026

Woburn Sands will host its popular Christmas Fayre, featuring live music, street food, craft and community stalls, fairground attractions and a visit from Father Christmas.

Visitors can browse local traders, enjoy seasonal refreshments and watch the festive lighting ceremony.

The event brings the community together for an afternoon of Christmas shopping and entertainment, with special attractions for children including Santa Street.

Bedfordshire Christmas Events

Bedford Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 21 November 2026 – From 12pm, lights on at 5pm

Bedford town centre will welcome the festive season with a free Christmas lights switch-on celebration in Harpur Square.

Entertainment begins at midday with performances from local choirs, singers and community groups, including Bedford Youth Community Gospel Choir, Bedford Rock Choir and Funk Odyssey.

Visitors can also enjoy Christmas market stalls, seasonal food and family activities, with free festive film screenings in the Harpur Suite and face painting for children.

The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, will officially switch on the Christmas lights at 5pm, followed by a festive singalong and further entertainment until 6pm.

Bedford's Christmas Market will return to Harpur Square and the Harpur Suite on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, with local crafts, gifts and seasonal produce.

A Christmas Art Fair will also take place in St Paul's Square on Sunday 6 December.

Woburn Christmas Fair

Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 November 2026

Woburn Safari Park's Safari Lodge will host the Woburn Christmas Fair, offering an early opportunity to begin festive shopping.

The charity shopping event features a range of gift ideas and luxury products, with an evening shopping session on Tuesday 10 November followed by a daytime fair on Wednesday 11 November.

This year's event is supporting CHUMS Charity, with organisers hoping to build on the approximately £24,000 raised at last year's fair.

Tickets are required.

Ampthill Christmas Lights Switch-On

Sunday 15 November 2026

Ampthill will be among the first towns in the area to officially welcome Christmas when its annual lights switch-on takes place on Sunday 15 November.

The event is organised by the Friends of Ampthill's Christmas Lights, who help raise funds for the town's festive illuminations.

The Christmas tree in Market Square forms a centrepiece of the town's seasonal decorations.

Leighton Buzzard Christmas Lights Switch-On

Friday 27 November 2026 – 4pm to 8pm, lights on at 7pm

Leighton Buzzard's Christmas Festival launches with a major town centre celebration featuring live music, a festive market, fairground rides, street food and a visit from Santa.

The celebrations begin at 4pm, with local performers providing entertainment ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on at 7pm.

A fireworks display will follow the switch-on.

The festive programme has also been expanded for 2026, with additional entertainment, street theatre and family activities taking place on four Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.

Kempston Christmas Lights Switch-On

Sunday 29 November 2026 – 12pm to 6pm, lights on at 5pm

Kempston's annual Christmas celebration returns to the Saxon Centre, with a free afternoon of festive activities.

Visitors can enjoy Christmas market stalls, live entertainment, children's rides, food and seasonal shopping throughout the afternoon.

Father Christmas is expected to make a special appearance, with the lights officially switched on at 5pm.

Flitwick Christmas Lights Switch-On

Sunday 29 November 2026 – Flitwick Town Square

Flitwick Town Council has confirmed that the town's Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Sunday 29 November.

The festive event will be held in Flitwick Town Square on Station Road, with Christmas market stalls scheduled to trade from 3pm until 6pm.

Further programme and switch-on timing details are still to be confirmed.

Northamptonshire Christmas Events

Northampton Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 21 November 2026 – 12pm to 6pm, lights on at 5pm

Northampton's Market Square will host a spectacular free festive celebration, featuring live entertainment, Christmas activities, local traders and performances from pantomime stars.

The entertainment programme includes Moulton 77 Brass, Shoe Town Big Band, The Starlight Sisters and Buskerteer Choir, alongside performances from Northampton College students.

Stars from The Deco's The Wizard of Oz and Royal & Derngate's Beauty and the Beast will also make appearances.

Families can enjoy Christmas workshops, face painting, storytelling, magic shows, a silent disco and festive walkabout entertainment.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm by Northampton-born world champion boxer Chantelle Cameron, alongside the Mayor and Father Christmas.

The event marks the beginning of Northampton's WinterFest, which runs from 21 November until 3 January.

WinterFest will feature a Ferris wheel, festive markets, food stalls, a special light installation and entertainment throughout the Christmas period.

Highlights include Carols on the Square on 12 December and WinterFest Around the World on 19 December.

Kettering Christmas Lights Switch-On

Thursday 26 November 2026 – 4pm to 7.30pm, lights on at 6.30pm

Kettering's Market Place, Sheep Street and High Street will host an evening of festive celebrations.

More than 30 local stalls will offer street food, handmade crafts and Christmas gifts, while entertainment includes Kettering Town Silver Band, roaming performers and a festive fair.

A 30-foot Christmas tree will take centre stage in Market Place, with the official switch-on at 6.30pm.

A dedicated quieter area will also be provided for visitors with sensory processing needs.

Wellingborough Twinkle

Saturday 21 November 2026 – From 1pm, lights on at 6pm

Wellingborough's Christmas celebrations return with the annual Wellingborough Twinkle event.

The town centre will feature live music, Christmas market stalls, entertainment and Santa's grotto.

Local performers, community groups and tribute acts will take to the stage during the afternoon.

The Christmas lights switch-on takes place at 6pm, accompanied by fireworks.

Brackley Christmas Market, Lights & Lanterns

Saturday 28 November 2026

Brackley will celebrate the arrival of Christmas with its popular Christmas Market, Lights & Lanterns event.

The town centre will host festive stalls, food and drink, seasonal gifts and family entertainment.

A traditional lantern parade will make its way from Winchester House School along the High Street before arriving in the town centre for the Christmas lights switch-on.

Father Christmas and the Town Mayor will be part of the celebrations.

Rushden Christmas Lights Switch-On

Saturday 28 November 2026 – Lights on at 4.30pm

Rushden Town Council will host a day of festive entertainment and family activities in the town centre.

The programme will feature live performances and community entertainment ahead of the official Christmas lights switch-on by the Mayor of Rushden at 4.30pm.

Buckinghamshire Christmas Events

Aylesbury – Christmas on the Cobbles

Sunday 22 November 2026 – 12pm to 6pm

Aylesbury's Christmas on the Cobbles returns with a full day of festive entertainment throughout the town centre.

Activities include Christmas markets, family workshops, fairground rides, street entertainers, performances and Santa's grotto.

An illuminated parade will begin at 5pm, featuring Father Christmas, local performers and community groups, before the town's Christmas lights are switched on.

A fireworks display will conclude the main celebrations.

Buckingham Christmas Lights Switch-On

Thursday 26 November 2026 – From 4.30pm, lights on at 6pm

Buckingham's Christmas celebrations will take place around Market Square, with a festive market, music and late-night shopping.

Local businesses will remain open for special Christmas shopping opportunities, while visitors can enjoy seasonal refreshments and entertainment.

The official Christmas lights switch-on takes place at 6pm, with the Mayor and the winners of the Mayor's Christmas Card Competition taking part.

Winslow Christmas Fair and Lights Switch-On

Thursday 26 November 2026 – From 5pm, lights on at 6pm

Winslow Market Square will host an evening of Christmas celebrations, with festive stalls, family attractions and entertainment.

The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm, followed by carols in the church at 6.30pm.

More Festive Attractions Across Milton Keynes

In addition to the traditional lights switch-ons, several major Christmas attractions will be running throughout the festive season.

Willen On Ice returns to Willen Lake from 21 November until 3 January, offering outdoor ice skating for families and friends.

Land of Lights at Gulliver's Dinosaur & Farm Park will illuminate the evenings with a spectacular walking trail of colourful lantern displays on selected dates throughout November and December.

Carols at the Cathedral takes place at Milton Keynes' Tree Cathedral on Sunday 13 December, from 2pm to 5pm. The free event will include festive entertainment, storytelling and community carol singing.

Milton Keynes Museum will host its Victorian Christmas celebrations, including festive craft markets on weekends from 5 to 20 December.

Bletchley Park will welcome families to a vintage-themed Christmas grotto on selected dates from 5 to 23 December.

And Milton Keynes Theatre will present its Christmas pantomime Sleeping Beauty, running from 5 December until 10 January.

Enjoy Christmas Across Our Local Area

With so many Christmas lights switch-ons, festive fairs and community celebrations taking place throughout November and December, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the magic of Christmas without travelling far from home.

Many of the town centre celebrations are free to attend, although some rides, grotto visits and special attractions may charge admission.

Event details and timings can occasionally change, so visitors are advised to check the latest information from organisers before setting off.

Horizon Radio will continue bringing you news of Christmas celebrations and festive events across Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford and the surrounding towns throughout the festive season.