Gibraltar’s annual festive celebrations will be launched later this month with the two-day Christmas Wonderland followed by six weeks of Christmas fair attractions.
The festivities are scheduled to open with the Festival of Lights at 5.45 p.m. on Friday 24 November, organised on behalf of the ministry of culture and featuring performances by dance groups and choirs, a spectacular lights show and an appearance by Father Christmas.
The Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 7.30 p.m., and automatically every day from Saturday 25 November until Saturday 6 January 2024. As is customary, they will remain on throughout the nights of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and 5 January.
The government has advised those planning to view the lights that the event will entail the use of strobe lights, confetti cannons and other special effects. Loud bangs and music will also feature throughout the lights show, which will deliver an immersive 360-degree experience across Casemates Square.
A wheelchair accessible viewing platform will be available, with spaces allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, on production of a Disability Information Card.
On Saturday 25 November, Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS) will be producing a second day of performances at Casemates Square. The Christmas Party will include local dance groups and bands, as well as the return of Boney M, featuring original band member Maizie Williams.
Fair attractions based at John Mackintosh Square will open on Friday at 7.30 p.m. to coincide with the Christmas lights switch-on. They will be free on this day, and also on Thursday 14 December as part of GCS’s initiative to support the GBC Open Day fundraiser.
From Saturday 25 November to Sunday 7 January, the fair will be open from 12pm and 7pm daily and all rides will be priced at £3.
In addition to the Christmas fair attractions, the King’s Bastion Leisure Centre will have a Christmas sleigh virtual reality ride throughout December. Also priced at £3, the ride will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30 p.m. on 24 and 25 November, coinciding with the Christmas Wonderland events. 
