The Best Christmas Lights in the Country?
If you want a great example of the community spirit here in Portishead, look no further than our wonderful, annual Christmas lights. Ride the lights on your Harley Davidson further down this page.
Managed by a committee of residents, an army of volunteers raises money all year. Add donations from local businesses and a town council grant and our Christmas lights extend further every year. Around the beginning of November, more volunteers join the army to help put up Christmas trees in the High Street and at the Triangle on West Hill and test and hang the lights.
The big switch on takes place on the last Monday of November around 6pm in the High Street near The Precinct. At the appointed hour, Santa accompanied by his elves and helpers, makes his way from Clarence House to the podium happily collecting letters from excited youngsters on the way.
The lights now stretch for more than a mile, from the youth centre on the corner of Harbour Road, to the end of the High Street just before Gordano School. New areas are added each year, and now include Waitrose Piazza (visit by scooter towards the end of movie), the tower at St Peter’s Church and parts of Wyndham Way.
Unique Way to Experience the Lights
This year, everyone can float through the winding High Street and see the lights in all their glory. Ride a Harley Davidson Fat Boy through the main street and a child's scooter through the pedestrian area. Enjoy this four-minute movie, filmed in 2016. The lights have improved a lot since then, so do go and see them. The official switch-on is always at the end of November and you'll find details in our Events Calendar shortly after the date is announced.
Credits
Thanks to producer Chris Fielden, his brother Dave, and neices Elspeth and Scarlett for shooting and editing the movie.
Music provided by Airbus, one of the first bands ever to use the new music studio (open to all young people) at the Portishead Youth Centre.