As representatives for the businesses in St Ives, The ‘Business Improvement District’ will once again be delivering the annual Winter and Christmas Lights Project, from the financing and labour to the logistical elements of creating a festive atmosphere across town.

This year we decided to start the winter lights project a little early again on 21st October 2022 as the early lights were such a success last year. Feedback from businesses has been that it felt the right thing to do due to losing an hour of evening light with the winter clock’s change. It’s that time of the year when the excitement is building and the start of the festivities are marked by the Christmas lights going up, they definitely bring a little sparkle and magic to the streets.

Lights will include a curtain around Market House, a canopy in Royal Square, and festoon lights that ran through 9 streets. Apparently, it is one of the largest sets in Europe!

As December arrives, the Winter Lights are joined by smaller Christmas trees and a large tree under the canopy in Royal Square. As usual, the fishermen of St Ives join in and help with the lights across the harbour, setting up the display that stretches from the Lifeboat Station all the way down to Smeaton’s Pier.

The official ‘switch on’ will be on 7th December 2022.

Once again BID are working with the RNLI to bring Santa safely to shore on the Lifeboat. Santa will arrive by Lifeboat between 6:30 pm and 7 pm, he will then get into his sleigh being pulled by St. Ives Youth Rugby Team and taken around The Wharf, Fore Street, Market Square, High Street, Tregenna and then onto Cafe Art where he will be greeted by the local hero and the Mayor of St. Ives. The local hero then turns on the Christmas lights and Christmas tree.

The majority of the financing and logistics of the lights project is handled by St. Ives BID along with the Town Council who lend their support both financially and logistically.