Photo: Ant Oxley
Christmas light switch-on entertainment
A show literally made of light. Spark! brings illuminated drumming, playful characters and real crowd connection to the biggest night of your town's winter, and to the parades and light festivals around it.
Built for the big countdown
Christmas light switch-ons are one of Spark!'s home occasions. If you are looking for a lights switch-on act that does more than fill a slot before the countdown, this is it. The show parades crowds in towards the stage, holds the atmosphere through the build-up and makes the moment the lights go on feel bigger. Councils, BIDs and shopping centres across the UK bring Spark! back year after year.
Switch-ons and winter events so far include Coventry Christmas lights switch-on, Illuminate Retford, The Alnwick Garden, Christmas at Kew, Brent Cross Town and Eldon Square Newcastle. This winter adds Eastwood Christmas lights switch-on, Swansea Christmas Parade and Put Big Light On in Bolton.
Ask about this winter
Photo: Simon DewhurstTown centre, shopping centre, light trail
Outdoor switch-on stages, indoor centre courts, winter light festivals and lantern parades: the show adapts to the space and the audience. Illuminated drums and costumes mean Spark! reads beautifully from a distance and up close, day or night.
Spark! at festivals and parades
Photo: Ant Oxley
Photo: Belinda Lawley
Photo: Ant Oxley
Photo: Simon O'Connor
Photo: Ant OxleyFrom winter light events
It was fantastic to hear that people had travelled to Retford just to see the drummers. The event was discussed positively for days and weeks after, well into the New Year.
Alison Shipperbottom
Bassetlaw District Council, Illuminate Retford
You filled the air with magic, exciting sound and beautiful illumination. The whole town of Alnwick is buzzing and I think they will be talking about it for a while to come.
Nicola Davidson
The Alnwick Garden
Marvellous, simply marvellous, a different, dynamic, spectacular way to begin our Switch On. I've had pots of compliments.
Jon Hogan
Coventry City Council
Switch-on questions
When should we book for a Christmas light switch-on?
As early as you can. November and December weekends fill first, and most councils, BIDs and shopping centres confirm their switch-on entertainment between August and October. If your date is close, ask anyway; we will tell you honestly what is available.
How does Spark! fit around the switch-on moment itself?
However works best for your running order. Spark! can parade the crowd in towards the stage, hold the atmosphere in the build-up, frame the countdown and then lift the moment after the lights go on. We plan the timings with you.
What about the weather?
Winter events are our home ground. Spark! performs outdoors through the season, and safety decisions are made with you on the day. The show also works beautifully indoors, in shopping centres and covered spaces.
Is the show suitable for family audiences?
Completely. The characters are playful and warm, and children are usually the first ones dancing. Spark! performs at family events across the UK every winter.
Do you perform at Christmas parades and light festivals too?
Yes. Christmas light switch-on entertainment is the heart of our winter, but the same show leads lantern parades, opens winter light trails and plays Christmas markets. Recent winters have taken Spark! to Christmas at Kew, Illuminate Retford and Put Big Light On in Bolton alongside town centre switch-ons.
Check your date
Tell us your switch-on date and we'll confirm availability straight away.
Got it. It's on its way.
We'll reply within one working day, usually much sooner. If it's urgent, call us or WhatsApp us.
✓ We reply within one working day, usually much sooner.
Prefer to talk? Call +44 (0)345 257 1753 or WhatsApp us · spark@worldbeatersmusic.com