Cambridge Christmas lights: two switch-ons to know

Cambridge is about to get its Christmas lights on, and there are actually two switch-ons to keep track of. Both are put on by Cambridge BID, the Business Improvement District that represents around 1,200 city-centre businesses, and neither costs anything to attend.

The first comes on Thursday 12 November at Station Square, out in the CB1 area by the station. It runs from roughly 4.30pm, with Christmas songs, quizzes and giveaways to start, live music from The Los Amigos at 5.15pm, and the lights finally coming on at 6.30pm. It is pitched as the start of the season for commuters, residents and anyone arriving by train, so it is the quieter of the two if you would rather avoid a crowd.

The bigger event is the Market Square 'BIG Switch On' on Sunday 15 November, which takes over the square from midday until 5.30pm. The official moment is at 5pm, and the organisers recommend being in the square by 4.45pm if you want to catch the countdown. Josh Lovatt hosts the day, which is built around a stage with a full programme of local acts: Coleridge Community College opens at midday, followed by Colours of Dance, Next Gen Noise, On-Stage Performing Arts, Razzamataz, Vocal Remix, Stagecoach, Sing Choirs, 4D Dance, Safira Pinder and Tom Korni, with the ADC Theatre closing things out after the lights are on. There are crowd games, giveaways and performers from Ruby Flames in LED costumes, and at 3.05pm the winners of Cambridge BID's 'Mystery Shop' are announced, which recognises local city-centre retailers. Costa Coffee in Cambridge sponsors the day.

At the same time, the Grand Arcade runs its own Christmas Celebrations on the 15 November from 11.30am to 4.30pm, with local singers, choirs and dancers performing on stage next to the John Lewis and Partners entrance. Its decorations have been up since early November, with a red and gold throne in the atrium, a talking letterbox for letters to Santa and animatronic displays including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and a story-telling bear. Later in the month, Mrs Claus runs story sessions for children aged 2 to 10, with a 'Storytime for a Circular Christmas' strand where a small fee goes to the charity Cambridge Carbon Footprint.

On the practical side, Market Square is already closed to traffic, so no extra road closures are planned for either event. If you are driving in, the Grand Arcade car park on Corn Exchange Street is £33.50 for a five-hour weekday, Queen Anne Terrace on Gonville Place is £24 and free after 6pm, and Park and Return is free until 6pm, so you only pay the bus fare. Blue Badge holders get three hours free at all five multi-storey car parks. Both switch-ons are free, so you can pick the one that suits you best, or catch both if you are in the festive mood.