Hay-on-Wye Christmas Lights 2024

'TIS THE SEASON ...

The weeks before Christmas in Hay are made all the more special by the launch of festivities on Friday 29 November, when the Christmas lights are switched on, the primary school and other choirs sing their hearts out, the market square is filled with stalls selling seasonal food and drink, and Hay Festival Winter Weekend is in full swing.

Behind the scenes, this evening of jollity, and the run-up to Christmas itself, both require a great deal of preparation, and once again Hay & District Chamber of Commerce , Hay Town Council and Hay Markets are working together to ensure that Hay is suitably festive for residents and visitors alike.

It's an important time for local businesses, and many outsiders make a special trip to do their Christmas shopping in our independent stores offering unique gifts, and to stock up on books for the Yuletide season.

Buying new lights, paying the contractor to erect, maintain and take down the display, as well as putting on the great Switch On event costs over £11,000. Even though the event is generously supported by Hay Town Council and several other local organisations we still need to raise £6,000.

This is only possible through contributions from businesses and the wider community. We understand that times continue to be challenging for us all, but we hope that you are able to able to make a donation, however small, towards the cost of bringing Christmas cheer to Hay.

Thank you in advance for your kind support.