Christmas has arrived in Penzance after the town’s festive lights were officially switched on by ten-year-old Harry Wade on Saturday.

Organised by Penzance BID, with support from Penzance Council, the Christmas lights switch-on event saw a large crowd gather at the Christmas tree, in front of the statue of the Humphry Davy - now sporting a Santa hat - for the countdown at 5.15pm.

Christmas carols from a local community choir in the run up to the switch on (Image: Penzance Council) Following Christmas carols from a local community choir, town crier Phil Northcott introduced the mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds, who led the crowd in counting down to the official switch on of the lights.

This year, the guest of honour given the responsibility of pushing the plunger to illuminate the town was ten-year-old Harry Wade.

Plenty came out to see the lights switched on (Image: Penzance Council) The pupil from St Mary’s Catholic School was invited to plunge Penzance into light after his design was chosen from 175 entries as the winner of the Mayor’s Christmas Card Competition.

You can see his winning design here: Winner of mayor's Christmas card competition to switch on town's festive lights

Ten-year-old Sonny looking festive with his Santa hat on. (Image: Penzance Council) As in previous years, Penzance Council have organised this year’s Christmas tree, as well as all of the main suspended Christmas lights around the town centre in Penzance. 

  • See more photos of the 2024 Penzance Christmas lights switch on in our gallery at the top of the page.