Ilminster Christmas lights switch-on and Victorian Night

The events were part of the town’s wider celebration, and also included a series of activities organised by the Ilminster Chamber of Commerce with the town council’s support.

The switch-on event was held in the town centre from 5pm to 9pm and signalled the start of Christmas shopping throughout the town.

The Victorian Night started at 6.30pm with a lantern parade headed by the Ilminster Diamonds Majorettes with children of the local school parading through town.

The night also featured Christmas-themed craft stalls and a Santa’s Grotto.

The Ilminster Arts Centre was open from 6pm to 9pm providing free entertainment which also included the ukulele band.

Mike Fry-Foley, vice president of the Ilminster Chamber of Commerce, previously said: “This event has been held for many years, 25+ to my knowledge, and last year we were able to bring it back very successfully from the Covid-era.

“Ilminster is very fortunate in that, we claim, it has the best lights in the area - probably.

“This is the result of an awful lot of hard work by the dedicated team of the Lights Committee who design and build the huge frames that get strung between and on the buildings throughout the town, plus the fortuitous layout of the town with its compact medieval street layout.”

The photo gallery above shows some photos from the night. All photos by Steve Richardson.