A Season of Christmas Magic Coming to Mid and East Antrim

Monday 10 November 2025

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council will officially launch the festive season this Saturday 15 November, when Ballymena’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is set to transform the town centre into a winter wonderland of music and entertainment.

Running from 12 noon to 7pm at Harmony Hub, the event marks the first in a series of Christmas celebrations taking place right across the Borough.

Delivered in partnership with Ballymena BID and Downtown Radio, the family-friendly event will feature Christmas characters and entertainers, live music from Ballymena Strummers and Ballymena Community Choir, as well as face painting and Christmas crafts - with the Downtown Radio Roadshow, hosted by Gary Myles, taking centre stage from 4pm.

Starting at 12 noon, enjoy light entertainment throughout the afternoon, tap your feet to live music from a local band and add some sparkle with face painting. A dedicated Quiet Hour from 3pm to 4pm, will provide a calmer space for families who prefer a more relaxed sensory environment.

At 6pm, the much-anticipated Festive Parade will make its way through Ballymena with performances from the Cullybackey Pipe Band, pupils from Ballymena Primary School and Dunclug Primary School, festive floats, and Santa’s Clydesdale horses and dray.

The parade will pause at Harmony Hub at 6.30pm, where Santa, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a pupil from Castle Tower Special Education School will officially switch on the Ballymena Christmas lights.

The parade will then continue along Wellington Street, Ballymoney Street, William Street, Broughshane Street, Church Street and Bryan Street, finishing at the Tower Centre, which is kindly supporting the event.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said:

“The Christmas Lights Switch-Ons are always one of the most anticipated events of the year and a highlight for families and individuals alike across Mid and East Antrim.

“It’s a time when our towns and villages come together in the true spirit of Christmas; celebrating community, supporting one another and enjoying everything our Borough has to offer.

“From our switch-on events to artisan markets and festive performances, there’s a wonderful programme of activities for everyone to enjoy as we count down to Christmas.”

Following Ballymena’s switch-on, the festive programme continues across the Borough with:

• Larne Lights Switch-On, Friday 21 November, Broadway

Larne will sparkle with festive cheer as the town centre comes alive for the annual Christmas Light Switch-On at Broadway. The celebrations will run from 4pm to 8pm, starting with a Quiet Hour of outdoor sensory play from 4pm-5pm.

From 5pm, families can enjoy face painting, Christmas characters, live music, and street entertainment. The highlight of the evening will be the Festive Parade at 7.10pm, led by Santa and the Mayor, featuring a vibrant Samba band, festive floats, pupils from Larne and Inver Primary School, Scouts and Christmas trains. The festivities will culminate at 7.30pm when Santa and the Mayor officially switch on Larne’s Christmas lights, illuminating the town for the holiday season.

• Carrickfergus Lights Switch-On, Saturday 22 November, Town Centre, followed by fireworks over the Promenade.

Carrickfergus will shine bright with festive fun as Market Place hosts the town’s Christmas Lights Switch-On celebrations. The day begins at 1pm with a bustling Artisan Market in the High Street Car Park, followed by a Civic Carol Service at St Nicholas’ Church and a Quiet Hour of outdoor sensory play from 2pm–3pm.

From 3pm, the main event will fill the streets with festive cheer, featuring face painting, Christmas crafts, live music, Christmas characters, and performances from local favourites including Uplift Performing Arts, Royal Tara Dance Academy, and Studio 86.

A highlight of this year’s festivities is the NEW Festive Parade at 4.45pm, led by Santa and the Deputy Mayor, showcasing Santa in his vintage car, Ballyduff Silver Band, Woodlawn Primary School pupils, and festive floats. At 5pm, Santa and the Deputy Mayor will officially switch on the Christmas lights, followed by a spectacular fireworks finale at 5.20pm - lighting up the sky above the Promenade (weather permitting).

• Whitehead Victorian Street Fair and Switch-On, Saturday 29 November

Whitehead will capture the magic of Christmas as the town centre transforms for its much-loved Christmas Lights Switch-On celebrations. Festivities begin from 12 noon with the charming Victorian Street Fair, organised by the Whitehead Community Association, bringing traditional stalls, festive treats, and seasonal entertainment to the streets.

The community will come together for a Civic Carol Service at 4.30pm in Whitehead Presbyterian Church, before the evening’s highlight at 5.30pm, when Santa and the Mayor take to the stage to switch on the town’s Christmas lights. The celebrations will conclude with a dazzling fireworks finale at 5.50pm, best viewed along the promenade (weather permitting).

• Greenisland Switch-On, Thursday 4 December, Greenisland Community Centre.

Greenisland will celebrate the festive season with a heartwarming evening of community cheer at the Greenisland Community Centre. The celebrations begin at 7pm with a Civic Carol Service, including carols from Silverstream and Greenisland Primary Schools. The evening will reach its highlight at 8pm, when Santa and the Deputy Mayor take centre stage to officially switch on the Christmas lights, marking the start of the holiday season in Greenisland.

Other highlights this December include Artisan Christmas Markets in Ballymena (3-8 Dec), Larne (10-15 Dec) and Carrickfergus (22 Nov), Christmas Silver Band Concerts in Carrickfergus Town Centre (13 & 20 Dec), and the festive family theatre production Tale of a Frozen Heart at The Braid Theatre (18-22Dec).

For full event listings and updates, visit our dedicated Tourism website at Shaped by Sea and Stone or follow @meaboroughcouncil on social media.