Christmas lights switch-ons and 2021 events in Chichester, Selsey, Midhurst, Petworth and East Wittering

Shoppers across the district are being urged to do their bit and support local this Christmas and help local businesses to rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Observer has joined forces with Chichester District Council and V2 Radio to encourage people to support local and get behind our local businesses.

And with so many fantastic local events taking place there are plenty of ways you can get involved!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Visit one of the many shopping and Christmas events taking place:

There are lots of festive events taking place this year. Picture by Goble PhotographyThere are lots of festive events taking place this year. Picture by Goble Photography
There are lots of festive events taking place this year. Picture by Goble Photography

Chichester Cards for Good Causes - Until 18 December, 10am — 4.30pm every day except Sundays.

Chichester City Council are hosting a cards for good causes shop in the Old Court Room in the Council House, Chichester.

Christmas at Cowdray light up trail - November 24 to January 1 2022, 4.30pm – 8pm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An illuminated, after-dark festive light trail inspired by the theme of ‘Joy’, is coming to the Estate this festive season.

Read More
Read more: Christmas at Cowdray: See what you can expect at the light up trail

Chichester - Christmas light switch-on, Saturday, November 27.

Chichester BID has organised a programme of lights across the city centre and are working closely with The Rotary Clubs of Chichester on this year’s light switch-on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From midday onwards, the magnificent Dutch Street Organ ‘Tulip’ will be playing Christmas tunes and there will be some fairground rides from Ridley’s Family Funfair and an elf hunt. At the back of Wittering Walk in the Fitness Hub, from 2pm there will be a Santa’s Grotto, and the lights will be switched on at 5pm by Father Christmas.

East Wittering elf hunt - November 27 to December 18.

Christmas Craft Fair, Selsey Town Hall, 55 High Street, Selsey - November 28 11am – 3pm

Late night shopping in Chichester - December 2, 9, 16 and 23

Along with later night shopping you can also find▪ street entertainment, live music, local school choir performances and festive foodie treats and drinks.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Midhurst Town Council warmly invite you to the 2021 Christmas Street Party, located in the ‘Old Town’ and Market Square. Local businesses will be offering late night shopping and a Craft Market will fill the Old Library on Knockhundred Row, with plenty of opportunities to buy Christmas presents for all the family!

Chichester Farmers’ Markets - December 3 and 17

Consider buying your festive food from local producers at the popular Christmas Farmers’ Markets. The final markets of this year are on 3 and 17 December. Find out more at: www.chichester.gov.uk/farmersmarket

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Christmas Event will start from 11am to 7pm, with over 50 stallholders across town with plenty of great food and drink options in market square and the town’s shops beautifully decorated.

There will also be entertainment in the Leconfield Hall including a visit from Father Christmas, Christmas movies and a train set all upstairs in the Hall.

Collect your Starlight Trail and follow your designated route to visit The Novium Museum, Pallant House Gallery, and Chichester Library to create a star lantern and take part in festive crafts and activities, collecting stamps along the way. Those who collect three stamps or more will be entered into a prize draw to win a £40 Chichester gift card.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Choose one of the below routes to follow throughout your evening, and enjoy late-night shopping and a variety of activities in the city centre.

For more information, full route details and to book visit: https://www.thenovium.org/starlight. £5 per child. Advance booking only

As part of the Countdown to Christmas campaign, businesses can request a free ‘Support Local’ marketing pack, with a range of different digitals assets tailored to promote the city and each of our key retail towns: Chichester, Midhurst, Petworth, Selsey, and East Wittering. This will also provide you with details on how you can get hold of the printed wrapping paper and tags.

You can find out more about this and request your pack by visiting: www.chichester.gov.uk/christmasbusinesspack

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If you’re a district business, you may be interested to know that a range of information to help and support local businesses is available on Chichester District Council’s coronavirus business support web page: www.chichester.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport

As well as spending locally, you can also show your support for district businesses by getting involved in the campaign:

Add a ‘Support Local’ Facebook frame or Twibbon to your profile picture

If you have a Facebook or Twitter page please consider applying the support local frame to your profile picture to show your support for the campaign. This is really simple to do and you can find instructions on how to do this at: www.chichester.gov.uk/countdowntochristmas

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Buy from local businesses to access your free personalised recycled wrapping paper and gift tags

Show your love of your area by using personalised gift wrap and tags for Chichester, Petworth, Midhurst, Selsey or East Wittering free from participating businesses or you can download the artwork from: www.chichester.gov.uk/countdowntochristmas. You can use these on any gifts you are giving this Christmas to show family and friends where their gifts have been bought.

You can also use the below campaign #hashtags to promote where you have been shopping and the wonderful products you have bought from local businesses:

#LoveFromChichester

#LoveFromMidhurst

#LoveFromPetworth

#LoveFromEastWittering

#LoveFromSelsey

#LoveFromChichesterDistrict

Councillor Tony Dignum, cabinet member for growth, place and regeneration at Chichester District Council, said: “Now more than ever, we all need to play our part in supporting our district businesses. They are vital for thriving communities and the local economy, and they also play an important role in aiding our local recovery from this terrible pandemic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“By using local businesses, you can help sustain and create jobs in our communities. This helps to make for a better place to live and work, where people can socialise as well as shop. Local businesses also generate revenue to support other community services that we all access.”