When the Christmas lights are being switched on in Powys

So at the County Times we have put together a list of the Christmas lights events happening across Powys over the next couple of weeks.

Welshpool: Saturday, November 25, from 11am to 6pm

The Christmas light switch will be the finale to the 2023 Welshpool Winter Festival.

The festival will include live entertainment outside the Royal Oak Hotel and Monkey Puzzle café, stalls for the Christmas market, as well as Santa’s grotto, craft sessions, storytelling, and balloon modelling.

The festival will also unveil the Christmas tree competition, which is £5 to enter, and all proceeds go towards the Community Church which will be providing a Christmas meal to those in need.

Newtown: Saturday, November 25, from 4.30pm onwards

The fun begins in Newtown from 4.30pm with the light switch-on at 6pm “officially kick start a month of festive celebrations”. The popular Illuminated Bike Parade is back by public demand this year after big turnout last year. There will also be food and drink, live music, donkeys and an elf trail.

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Llandrindod Wells: Saturday, November 25, from 4.30pm

The Llandrindod “jingle bells” Wells will be held at the Bandstand this year will see not only the light switch on but also a spectacular lantern parade.

Llanfyllin: Friday, December 1, at 6pm

Llanfyllin will be putting on stalls, music and a grotto for its big light switch on. Stall sill be open in the town square form 2pm through until 8pm.

Rhayader: Sunday, December 3, from 4.30pm onwards

Rhayader will be illuminating its iconic tree and lights in town. According to organisers there will be a chance to “meet Santa, have a sing song and get yourself into the festive spirit.”

Llanidloes: Saturday December 2, at 6pm

This year’s Christmas lights switch-on, will take place in Great Oak Street with proceedings kicking off 5pm onwards.

This year will see market stalls, a live choir and band, snow and Father Christmas “who will be entering the streets of Llanidloes just in time for the Christmas lights Switch On”.

Hay on Wye: Friday, November 24, from 5pm to 7pm (light switch-on 6.30pm)

This year will see an evening of “carol singing, food, mulled wine and festivities”

Strictly winner Hamza Yassin will have the honour of switching on the lights along with along the town’s soon-to-be-announced Citizen of the Year.

The switch on will be in Memorial Square, and there will also be market stalls, Hay School Christmas fete, a steam engine Santa drive-by, Hay Fire Brigade, Santa's Post Box and a Window Spotting competition.