View our list of Christmas Light Switch On Celebrations for 2012 in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex below.

Cambridge

Sunday November 18, 2012
The Big Switch on will run until around 6pm and the lights themselves will be turned on at 5pm in Market Square. There will be entertainment throughout the day with community performances from local dance, music and theatre groups.

Ely

Friday November 30, 2012
Ely Market Place. Live acts, stalls and a craft fair.
Acts start at 4.30pm and the lights are turned on at 6.45pm. Telephone: 07725070734

Harpenden

Sunday November 25, 2012
The Harpenden Christmas Carnival. The event is held in conjunction with the monthly Farmer's Market. Acts on stage from 12 noon. Procession runs along the High Street at 3pm, and the lights are switched on at 5pm. A Santa's Grotto will be open all day at Thompsons Close.

Hatfield

Saturday November 24, 2012
Hatfield Town Centre at 5.30pm. The lights will be switched on by Sid and Scrat from the Ice Age films.

Hertford

Friday November 23, 2012
Hertford Christmas Gala
3.30pm - 7.30pm
Held at Hertford Town Centre
Website: http://www.hertford.gov.uk

Hitchin

Friday November 23, 2012

Letchworth Garden City

Saturday December 1, 2012

March

Saturday November 30, 2012
A representative of the Make a Wish Foundation will press the button at 7pm to switch on the thousands of lights that will sparkle across March town centre this Christmas. As always, the switch-on will be accompanied by a fun fair along Broad Street and a colourful display on narrowboats along the Old River Nene by members of the Middle Level Watermen's Club. Musical entertainment will be provided by Monkey's Uncle on the main stage, on the market square, and by March Brass 2000 outside the Co-op in High Street. But the main attraction will be the arrival of Santa. He will leave the Oliver Cromwell Hotel and arrive in the market square shortly before 7pm on his sleigh, accompanied by his elves and the Mayor of March, Councillor Jan French. This year his sleigh will be led by the town crier, Councillor Bernard Keane. After switching on the lights, Santa will once again go to his grotto which was a huge success with children last year.

Peterborough

Saturday November 17, 2012
3pm - 6pm
Cathedral Square
A packed programme of entertainment is planned. Acts including Whiskey Jaxx, White Clouds and Gunfire, 70s medley group and The Key Theatre youth group.

Saffron Walden

Tuesday November 27, 2012
4pm
Market Place
Saffron Walden Town Council would like to invite everyone to the Market Place to see the Mayor and winner of the Christmas Parcel Competition switch on the Christmas Lights from the balcony of Beales. Father Christmas will be there to add to the occasion and he will be giving away sweets to the children.

Soham

Friday December 7, 2012
6pm-8.30pm
Santa will be in his grotto, and there will be free children's fairground rides, stalls, games, and a fun bus.

St Albans

Sunday November 18, 2012
Street entertainers and pantomime stars will switch on the the lights at St Peter's Street in St Albans. It will start late afternoon, early evening.

Stevenage

Thursday November 22, 2012
The main event starts at 4pm with live music, hip hop dancers and boy band Frixion. The cast from this year's panto will also take to the stage for the switch-on. The Voice Star, Aleks Josh will switch the lights on at 6.30pm, which will be followed by a fireworks display and even a bit of snow!

Thursday December 6, 2012 - Old Town
The event starts at 5pm with the Christmas themed fancy dress competition. The main lights switch on is at 7pm at the bowling green. Choir singing will also take place from 7.10pm onwards.
Click here to view the carol sheet »

Welwyn Garden City

Thursday November 15, 2012
The lights will be switched on outside the steps from the Howard Centre entrance. There will be lots of fun for the family with music and entertainment on offer. Festivities start at 3.30pm and the lights will be turned on at 5.30pm.

Wisbech

Friday November 30, 2012
4.30pm-6.30pm
The big switch on will follow a full civic procession led by Vivien the 1932 vintage fire engine at 6pm from the Council Chambers. Father Christmas, supported by Wisbech Lions, will accompany the Mayor.
Before the lights are officially switched on, the Market Place will be full of opportunities for pre-Christmas bargains with Wisbech's Friday traders, and the shops in the town entering into the spirit. Also the there will be a fairground in the Market Place in the afternoon with lots of rides and fun for all. From 4.30 pm, the Wisbech Town Team have organised a Christmas movie countdown, snow machines, panto frolics, and traditional Christmas carols.