Photos of Helston Christmas Lights Switch On event for 2024

Thousands of people attended the switch-on, which once again remained dry despite rain earlier in the day.

There was plenty for people to do while awaiting the big light-up, with stalls and food stands lining Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street.

Inside the Corn Exchange were a number of stalls from local makers and craft producers, as well as a raffle run by the Helston Sasso Marconi Twinning Association.

Helston was packed for the switch-on (Image: Helston Packet) Helston Railway promote their Christmas train rides (Image: Helston Packet) They were not the only organisation to get involved in the night, with Cober Valley Rotary Club serving mulled wine and mince pies in the street.

For younger visitors there was a visit to see Santa in his grotto, stilt walkers roamed the town and there was live music outside the Guildhall and on the main stage at the bottom of Coinagehall Street, including from Stone Roots before and after the countdown.

Five-year-old Ava meets Father Christmas and his elf helper (Image: Helston Packet) Cober Valley Rotary Club serve mulled wine and mince pies (Image: Helston Packet) In the half-hour before the switch-on, Rev Danny Reed took to the stage to welcome the crowds and help lead the singing of carols played by Helston Town Band.

Six-year-old Evie was then chosen from the crowd to come down to the main stage and, after a countdown from ten, she pushed the plunger to illuminate the town.

Six-year-old Evie switched on the lights accompanied by her mum (Image: Helston Packet) As she did so, a snow machine created a wintery backdrop to the newly lit-up displays, and Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody played on the loud speaker.

There was then a further surprise, as giant sparklers shot up from behind the Guildhall.

Before this, a number of thank yous were read out by Rev Danny, who described the evening as “a real community effort.”

Coinagehall Street was filled with people for the switch-on (Image: Helston Packet) They included to RNAS Culdrose for the use of the steel barriers, the company running the road closures and managing crowd control, and the team behind the sound system.

The main stage was loaned by the Epworth Hall, and both JJ News and Matthews Opticians were thanked for the use of their electricity.

• Video: Gary Bostock

Evelina enjoys the lights with Vanessa and Samir (Image: Helston Packet) The biggest cheers, however, were rightly saved for Rob Williams and the volunteers who have spent every weekend for the last month putting up the displays and making sure everything was ready for the switch-on.

“Robert has done a fantastic job in enabling the whole team to come together – it’s a fantastic team, so a big hip-hip-hooray for all of them,” added Rev Danny.

Rev Danny Reed helps lead the countdown before Evie presses the plunger (Image: Helston Packet)

• See more photos from the 2024 Helston Christmast Lights Switch On event in our gallery at the top of the page.