On Sunday 17th November, thousands of residents visited Orpington High Street to mark the start of the festive season as the town’s Christmas lights switch on event took place, organised and funded by Orpington 1st Business Improvement District (BID) – the town centre business community - and supported by Manak Solicitors and Walnuts Shopping Centre.
With the High Street partly pedestrianised the town centre was transformed for the day to accommodate a host of free festive family entertainment and a range of food and gift stalls.
A new addition to the town’s festive decorations for 2024 - a magnificent 22ft Nordmann Fir adorned with 2,000 bright white lights and topped with a star. The town centre's Christmas tree, which stands between Orpington War Memorial and the Union Flag on Memorial Roundabout, was brought from Denmark to Orpington High Street by Orpington 1st in partnership with Valentines Family Funeral Directors, much to the delight of Orpingtonians.
Fairground favourites the carousel, helter-skelter, and Ferris wheel proved as popular as ever, with smaller children's rides located in Market Square, and The Hope Centre providing craft sessions.
Youngsters were able to visit Santa in his sleigh at The Walnuts Shopping Centre and receive a free gift, there was free face painting courtesy of Thomas Dunton Solicitors, and a free Snow Globe outside WHSmith.
The marvellous Manak Solicitors’ VR Experience was back, providing another exciting free activity, this year with a full-motion virtual reality fighter jet and ski simulator.
On the main stage - an electric line-up of live performance.
The much-loved Dread Centre made a return to the stage, and the next generations of performers from Spotlight and Harlequins Theatre Schools showcased their skills.
Following the Brilliant Barbershop of the Kentones, a positively joyful performance from pupils of Harris Primary Academy Orpington won the adoration of the audience before an awe-inspiring audio-visual experience from LED Drummers, whose intricate rhythms and dazzling drumstick display wowed the crowd.
As proceedings built to a climax, a pause in the set by Duality, packed full of sing along hits, provided compere extraordinaire Paul Evers the opportunity to welcome to the stage The Mayor of Bromley Cllr. David Jefferys, elected representatives Gareth Bacon MP and ward councillors Kim Botting and Pauline Tunnicliffe – and of course Santa – to lead a countdown to the firework finale.
Orpington 1st Executive Director, Chris Travers, said, “it’s brilliant to see so many people in town again for this year’s Light up Orpington. There’s been a lovely atmosphere throughout and so much for families to see and do. Thank you to everyone who took part – and a big thank you to the town centre business community. It’s their investment in Orpington that makes great occasions like this possible.”
Managing Director of Valentines Family Funeral Directors and Orpington 1st BID Director, Gary Valentine, said, “we’re proud to partner with Orpington 1st to bring a real Christmas Tree to Orpington, serving as beacon for the high street, and hopefully helping to spread a little extra festive cheer this Christmas! It’s been fantastic to celebrate with so many other local families today as we Light Up Orpington for Christmas 2024.”
See lots more photos on our Facebook Page and watch a short film below.
