Truro’s Christmas lights are going up, but no switch-on event

Look up in Truro city centre and you’ll find an angel strung above the street, wings spread, with the cathedral spires just behind. The rest of the city’s Christmas lights are joining it.

But this year, when they come on, there won’t be a crowd counting down.

When Truro’s Christmas lights will come on

Truro BID says its contractor, Event Power Engineering Ltd, has started putting up the City Centre Christmas Lights.

They’ll be switched on automatically on Saturday 21 November. That’s timed to coincide with the first Saturday of Truro’s outdoor Christmas Markets.

Why there’s no switch-on event this year

Truro BID has confirmed there will be no dedicated lights switch-on event in 2026.

It says that, like many other cities, it needs to prioritise its funds for other projects. Those are maintaining and installing the Christmas lights themselves, and funding the Truro Rangers security patrols.

Who pays for Truro’s Christmas lights

Truro BID delivers and funds the city’s Christmas lights every year. That covers the lot: maintenance, storage, installation and the electricity to run them.

The money comes from the BID levy, paid by around 360 Truro businesses. Truro BID thanked them for their contributions, which it says are what make the lights possible.

What’s on in Truro this Christmas

Details of Truro’s festive events, including the Christmas Markets, are on the Visit Truro website.

📷Credit: Truro BID