Record Numbers Turn Out for Christmas Lights Switch-On

Approximately 12,000 people are estimated to have come to the Christmas lights switch-on and fireworks display on Bedford Embankment on Sunday night.

The now traditional fireworks display to mark the start of the Christmas season here in Bedford, with lights switched-on to illuminate across the town is always a popular event in the local calendar, organised and funded by Bedford Borough Council.

This was the finale to a great weekend in town, with the Bedford Christmas Fair in the town centre across the Harpur Centre, Harpur Square and Harpur Suite on Saturday and Sunday with stalls, entertainment, the Transformers, Anna and Elsa from Frozen 2, and free fairground rides.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said, "This was a fantastic weekend in our town centre, and it's wonderful that so many people came out to enjoy the fair and the brilliant fireworks display. Our thanks go to the Bedford Pantomime Company and Bedford BID for their support."

This Christmas fair, lights switch-on and fireworks display are organised by Bedford Borough Council and supported by the Bedford Business Improvement District, funded by town centre businesses.