After a day of rain that stopped in time for the ceremony, and despite a cold wind, Southampton’s annual Christmas tree lighting at the Town Hall drew a sizeable crowd on Thursday, November 25th.
Hosted by the Southampton Business Improvement Association (BIA) and Chamber of Commerce, the tree lighting kicked off Southampton Sparkles night for Christmas shoppers with stores staying open late.

The Celtic Academy dancers warmed up the crowd with their energetic Irish dancing and the crowd were enthusiastically clapping along to songs of the Isles when Santa appeared, taking time out of his busy schedule to drop by.
Deputy Mayor Don Matheson encouraged everyone to take advantage of the Southampton merchants, who were staying open late to accommodate early Christmas shopping.
He then had the task of lighting the Christmas tree with his able assistant Lila Chevalier who is visiting from Windsor and who pulled the lever that lit up the Southampton Christmas tree adorned with lighthouses.
