Christmas ‘officially’ starts on Sunday 15th November, when Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday takes over the town centre for its fourth year. It’s free to attend and this year features a parade of more than 100 drummers leading into the Christmas lights switch-on at 4.45pm.
The full timetable hasn’t been released yet, so I’ll update this post with set times and locations as soon as it’s out.
What’s on
There are more than 200 performers and over 50 free shows across Merseyway, Suffragette Square, the Underbanks, Market Place and Redrock. The ones I’ve got my eye on:
The Giant Snow Lion, plus dancing elves and stilt walkers roaming the streets
Over The Moon, a circus adventure into space
Hydropunk, a water-powered contraption of pipes, pumps, sprays and puzzles (in Stockport, in November... brave)
The Miniscule of Sound, the world’s smallest nightclub, back for another year
Brazilian drumming from Juba do Leão and Katumba
Festive bands, puppets, comedy and local community performers all afternoon
Credit: Stockport Council
The finale
This is the bit to plan your afternoon around. Late in the afternoon, 100-plus drummers will parade through town in the lead up to the Christmas lights switch-on at 4.45pm. It’ll be dark by then so get your spot a bit early (and wrap up warm!).
Know before you go
When: Sunday 15 November 2026, 12pm to 5pm. Lights switch-on at 4.45pm
Where: Stockport town centre, across Merseyway, Suffragette Square, the Underbanks, Market Place and Redrock
Cost: Free, and you don’t need a ticket
Getting there: The Interchange drops you straight into Mersey Square, and the train station is a ten-minute walk. Town car parks fill up fast on the day, so I’d leave the car at home if you can
More info: Totally Stockport
Make an afternoon of it
The whole route runs past some of Stockport’s best independents, so don’t just watch the shows and head home. Grab a coffee on the Underbanks and have a mooch round the Market Hall. If you’re staying for the switch-on, book somewhere to eat afterwards because everywhere near Market Place will be rammed by 5pm.
Got a favourite spot for a drink after the switch-on? Let me know and I’ll add it. For everything else on in SK this month, have a look at our What’s On guide.