Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On: FAQ’s
Got questions about attending the biggest and best event in Darwen Town Centre’s calendar? You’re in the right place! We’ve got answers to the most frequently asked questions about Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On 2024, so that you can enjoy this fantastically festive day to the fullest.
How do I get there?
Darwen is easily accessible by both car and public transport. Darwen Railway Station is a three minute walk from Darwen Market Square, with direct trains from Bolton, Manchester, Blackburn and Clitheroe. The Number 1 bus by the Blackburn Bus Company serves Darwen Town Centre with regular buses between Bolton and Blackburn. We recommend downloading the Transdev Go app for journey planning and bus tracking.
The A666 goes through Darwen Town Centre, and the market square is an approximately 10 minute drive from Junction 4 of the M65. The town centre has several free car parks, including the train station car park, Bridge Street car park and the large car park at Darwen Market. The covered market car parks will close at 4pm.
Please be aware that a portion of Railway Road, between where it meets the A666 and Church Street, will be closed to from approximately 9am til 9pm. Croft Street (including the Darwen Circus bus station) will be closed from approximately 7am till midnight, there will be a temporary bus stop on Market Street.
What time does everything start and stop?
Roaming entertainment and the Crafty Vintage Festive Markets start bright and early at 10am. An exciting lineup of quality acts will begin on the main stage on the market square at 2pm, which is when our fabulous compère, Kiki Deville, will kick off the proceedings.
Darwen Market will be sticking to their normal Saturday opening hours of 8am till 4pm, be sure to pay our traders a visit.
The question we get asked the most is what time will the Christmas lights be switched on… This will happen at approximately 6pm, but with a whole host of enchanting entertainment to enjoy and festive markets to browse from 10am, you’ll want to get down as soon as you can!
After K-Klass have got the crowd on their feet and the lights switched on, El-Grego from Demented Disco will provide us with a funky finale in the form of their DJ set of Old Skool tunes. This will run until approximately 8pm.
Check out the full line-up here.
What about toilet facilities?
The toilets in the annexe at Darwen Market will be open during market opening hours of 8am till 4pm, this includes an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There will also be portable loos on the market square for the duration of the event – there will be baby changing facilities and an accessible portable loo available.
There are several welcoming pubs and cafes surrounding Darwen Market Square, where you can take a break, enjoy a drink and use the facilities. The Old Chapel pub overlooks the market square and has an accessible toilet with baby changing.
Will there be an accessible viewing area?
There will indeed be an accessible viewing area on Railway Road. Please ask a member of the security team if you would like to use it.
What should I wear?
Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Markets is an outdoor event, so please check the weather forecast on the morning of the 16th November and dress appropriately. We’ve been enjoying a mild autumn so far, but please wrap up warm as hands and heads get chilly, even when dancing along to top entertainment!
If you do get chilly, there’s plenty of places to warm up in Darwen Town Centre, whether you want a proper coffee, a refreshing pint or a tasty lunch. Why not download our Insider’s Guide for inspiration?
And of course, Christmas jumpers are always encouraged!
Is Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On a family event?
We pride ourselves on hosting a festive event that’s suitable for the whole family. They’ll be a wide range of entertainment with something to appeal to all tastes, from a cameo from Cinderella and Buttons and Darwen Brass Band, to Northern Soul faves from Paul Stuart Davies and 90s House hits from headline act, K-Klass.
Entertainment on the main stage will be loud, so little ears may require ear defenders. Please keep in mind that the market square also gets very busy before and during the headline act (approximately half 5/6pm).
Stage pyrotechnics may be used but there are no fireworks at this year’s event. Instead we’ve focussed on bringing together a fabulous programme throughout the day. Fireworks are costly and can be hit and miss depending on the weather. They also divide opinion; we have had as many people wanting fireworks, as those who do not want them! Rest assured they’ll be more than enough to keep the entire family entertained.
Will there be a photographer?
There will be a photographer/videographer taking professional photos of the event. These will be used for marketing purposes by Darwen Town Centre/Blackburn with Darwen Council, for example on this website and our social media channels.
Please make a steward or member of staff inside Darwen Market aware if you do not want you or your family to be photographed.
Can I bring alcohol onto the market square?
Bringing your own alcohol onto the market square is prohibited, but you are welcome to buy alcoholic drinks at one of the three bars that are onsite especially for the event. Please drink responsibly and keep in mind that Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On is a family event.
What about bins and rubbish?
There will be rubbish bins on the market square, please use them and help us to keep the event clean and tidy. If bins are full, please take any rubbish home with you. Doing your bit in this way helps us to keep Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On a fantastic FREE event.
We hope that we’ve answered any burning questions and given you some top tips! Feel free to comment on this blog, or send us a message on Facebook if there’s something we’ve missed.
Darwen Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Markets 2024 is set to be a magical family event that begins the Christmas season in the best way. We recommend getting down as early as you can on Saturday 16th November to make a full day of it – you won’t regret it!
Keep on eye on our Christmas 2024 page for more information coming soon, and take a read of our Christmas Lights Switch On Shopper’s Guide.
See you very soon in Darwen Town Centre!
