Hinckley Christmas Lights Switch-On and Tin Hat Fair
Visitors can browse a bustling market filled with arts, crafts, and charity stalls stretching along Castle Street into the Church Walk car park food and drink hub. The festivities feature live musical entertainment on stage in the marketplace and at the Argents Mead bandstand, alongside late-night shopping. Families can enjoy the funfair rides, make crafts at the United Reformed Church workshop, and visit Santa in his grotto.
What to Expect
Hinckley festival with live music, market stalls, and a Santa's grotto.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Town centre
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Food & Drink
Church Walk car park becomes a food and drink hub serving festive treats, alongside food and drink vendors at the event.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with children
Vibe
Festive and lively
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: No general admission price is stated. Santa's grotto costs £5 per child, cash only; children receive a present.
- Hours: Festival starts Friday at 4pm; town lights switch on at 6:30pm. Tin Hat Fair: Friday 4pm-10pm; Saturday noon-10pm (weather depending). Children's crafts: Friday 4:30pm-7:30pm. Live stage with Fosse 107: Friday 4pm-7pm; further bandstand music until 7:30pm. Lights in the Mead: zones turn on from 5pm Friday; all lights on from 6:30pm until late that evening, then every evening through 6 January. Many town-centre shops stay open until 8pm on switch-on night.
Tips & Advice
- Bring cash for Santa's grotto at the top of Castle Street, because visits are cash only and the money goes to Against Breast Cancer.
- Check the road closure information on the council website or One Network before driving into Hinckley on switch-on night.
- If the Friday crowds are too much, come back on Saturday for the Tin Hat Fair, but remember it depends on the weather.
- Return on a quieter evening before 6 January to walk the Lights in the Mead trail, which is lit every night.
- Take the children to the free crafts workshop at the United Reformed Church before the lights switch on.
Special Events & Promotions
- This year the market extends from Castle Street into Church Walk car park.
- The Tin Hat Fair continues on Saturday 21 November, weather permitting.
- The Atkins Building hosts its own Christmas Fair on Saturday 21 November.
- Many town-centre shops stay open late on switch-on night.
- Santa's grotto visits are cash only, with all profits going to Against Breast Cancer.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there for children?
There's a free children's crafts workshop in the United Reformed Church and rides at the Tin Hat Fair. Santa is in his grotto at the top of Castle Street, and each child visiting gets a present.
Where is the food?
Church Walk car park becomes a food and drink hub selling festive treats. There are also food and drink stalls along the market.
What music is on?
Fosse 107 hosts the live stage in Hinckley Marketplace on the Friday. There's more music at the Argents Mead bandstand.
What is Lights in the Mead?
Thousands of green, blue and pink fairy lights make a trail around the trees, paths and bandstand in Argents Mead. They're on every evening from switch-on night until 6 January 2027.
Can I still book a stall?
The Castle Street market stalls are fully booked. Applications are still open for hot food and drink vendors, and the deadline is Friday 9 October 2026.
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