Photo: Erica Davenport

Future of Ambleside Christmas Lights event in jeopardy amid soaring costs and funding shortfalls

The Directors of Ambleside Christmas Lights have announced that the future of the town’s iconic annual switch-on event hangs in the balance due to escalating operational costs, aging infrastructure, and a critical drop in local business donations.

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While the volunteer-led team expects to install the town's winter light displays, a final decision on whether the popular switch-on weekend—including the Santa Cruises, lantern parade, and Rothay Park fireworks—can go ahead will be made this August.

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A Tradition Under Threat

Like neighbouring events in Windermere and Kendal, Ambleside Christmas Lights relies entirely on volunteers and local funding to support businesses and bring the community together during the dark winter months. Despite record visitor numbers to the village, financial contributions from local businesses have hit an all-time low, while the costs for safety, crowd management, and insurance have drastically increased.

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Furthermore, the event’s lighting infrastructure is now over 15 years old and requires urgent replacement. Following a successful upgrade to Church Street last year, the committee plans to replace the Compston Road lighting this year with Lake Road following the year after. While a welcome council grant will assist with this capital expenditure, a significant financial shortfall must be covered by their reserves.

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A Call to Action for the Community

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The dedicated fundraising team is working tirelessly to bridge the gap, but the committee warns that time is running out.

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"We are immensely proud of The Ambleside Light Switch on and what it means to the village bringing thousands of people into Ambleside, and a much-needed boost to the economy over the winter" said the Ambleside Christmas Lights Directors. "But the reality is that we are facing a perfect storm of rising costs and falling donations. At this moment, we simply do not know if we have the funds or the volunteer manpower to safely run the switch-on weekend this year."

The committee is appealing to local businesses, residents, and sponsors to step forward over the coming months to help save the event.