Harmonie Rose Allen to turn on City Illuminations at Bath Christmas Light Trail Switch On

Pride of Britain Award-winner Harmonie-Rose Allen is set to turn on Bath’s Christmas Light Trail as part of the community-focused Bath Christmas Light Trail Switch-On on Thursday 25th November.

Seven-year-old quadruple amputee Harmonie was named ‘Child of Courage’ at this year’s Pride of Britain Awards, which aired on ITV at the beginning of November, for her inspirational courage and unbreakable spirit. Since being given a 10% chance of survival after contracting meningococcal septicaemia at ten months old, Harmonie has thrived, with her current passions including dancing, gymnastics, and campaigning with meningitis charities.

Harmonie will join the Bath BID’s Chief Executive Allison Herbert, council representatives, and BBC Points West reporter and BBC Radio Bristol presenter Ali Vowles, to celebrate the start of the Christmas season in Bath and lead the community in counting down to the moment the stunning Light Trail turns on. The switch-on will take place in Milsom Street from 5pm on Thursday 25th November.

As well as being lit up with all-new rainbow illuminations, Milsom Street will also be glittering with lanterns that were built and decorated by local schoolchildren at the Bath BID’s free Lantern Making Workshop which took place on Sunday 14th November. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lanterns and torches to ensure the city centre glistens on the evening.

After the big switch-on, visitors can explore the Bath Christmas Light Trail, which will run from 3:30pm every evening until 31st December. There will be extra sparkle in Abbey Churchyard, Kingsmead Square, Stall Street, Upper Borough Walls, and many other city centre spots.

There will be plenty of pop-up entertainment around the city centre on the evening, including the Bath Abbey Chamber Choir, who will be singing some festive favourites, a balloon artist offering free Christmassy balloon creations, seasonal stilt walkers, and the chance to shop from Artisan Makers and meet Father Christmas in Bath’s Abbey Quarter.

The event will also see the launch of Thursday evening late-night Christmas shopping, with many retailers around the city centre staying open to allow people to make a start on their Christmas shopping.

Harmonie-Rose Allen said: “I am so excited to turn on the Christmas lights this year – it’s a great way to celebrate my award with the community! I can’t wait for town to be lit up we I am so excited for Christmas this year!”

Bath BID Chief Executive, Allison Herbert, said: “In our five-year business plan, we expressed a clear aspiration to help the city become a more connected place. By working with the community, the city’s businesses, and our partners, we hope that this celebration of light in the dark days will symbolise that connected city aspiration.”

“I am looking forward to welcoming the community into the city to celebrate the start of Christmas, and hope that people will take the opportunity to discover the illuminations, make a start on their Christmas shopping, and take advantage of Bath’s wonderful restaurants.”

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture, said: “Bath is a fantastic place to visit at any time of year but the atmosphere in the run up to Christmas is very special. Together with our partners, we’ve worked hard to put on a programme of events and experiences for residents and visitors to enjoy safely.

“The exciting Bath Christmas Light Trail is a fabulous addition to Bath’s Christmas offer. These special illuminations, together with our traditional Christmas street-lights, will provide a fantastic backdrop as people make the most of our wonderful shops, restaurants and visitor attractions.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Christmas lights will go on across the city as well as in Combe Down, Weston and Larkhall from 18th November, and the city’s Christmas tree will be lit from 22nd November, after the Remembrance Cross is removed from Abbey Churchyard.

The Christmas Light Trail has been funded by Bath & North East Somerset Council, with the Milsom Street light section funded by the Bath BID, Milsom Place, and the West of England Combined Authority’s Love Our High Streets programme. Find out more about the Bath Christmas Light Trail Switch-On at welcometobath.co.uk/christmas-light-switch-on.