'Common sense prevails' with confirmation of Christmas switch-ons across Antrim and Newtownabbey
Antrim and Newtownabbey councillors have confirmed plans to continue with the borough council’s Christmas lights switch-on programme after dropping a proposed cut to civic festivities last year.
The council’s Community Development Committee, which met at Mossley Mill, on Monday evening, agreed to the annual civic switch-on events and awards at a cost of £101k.
Last year, councillors rejected a recommendation by officers to switch to three flagship events – in Antrim town centre, V36 at The Valley, in Newtownabbey and Ballyclare – amid concerns over potential impact on shops and facilities that rely on footfall, loss of community spirit and “public relations disaster”.
The council has been delivering a Christmas light switch-on celebration in each of the borough’s seven district electoral areas annually since 2018 but said community events often “clash with council switch-ons”.
The programme at each event includes family entertainment such as a children’s pantomime, live festive music, fun rides, street entertainment, festive food stalls, arts and crafts as well as Christmas readings, carols and music.
A review by a working group of councillors earlier this year proposed continuation of the existing approach of delivering seven Christmas lights switch-on events across the borough in 2026. The theme for this year will be ‘Follow the Star to Antrim and Newtownabbey this Christmas’.
A committee report said the theme “celebrates inclusion, community and belonging, recognising that everyone has something unique to contribute”.
Dunsilly Ulster Unionist Councillor Stewart Wilson proposed the “status quo be maintained”. His proposal was seconded by Antrim DUP Cllr Paul Dunlop BEM.
Antrim SDLP Cllr Roisin Lynch noted that Christmas is a Christian festival and asked if carols in the council’s proposed programme are the “extent of recognition” of Christmas time.
A director told the meeting it is the “established content on an annual basis”. “We leave it up to church communities across the borough for a traditional Christmas message,” she said.
Cllr Lynch asked if the council works with church communities to bring anything forward. The director replied: “That would not be part of our remit.”
Threemilewater DUP Alderman Stephen Ross said he was “a wee bit worried”.
Highlighting the “point around the meaning of Christmas”, he noted for a number of years, a screen showed the Christmas story and asked when this changed. The director highlighted “trying to get a balance”.
Cllr Dunlop commented: “We should never forget the Christmas message.” and he asked that it is a “clear message that is sent out”.
“I am more than happy to put forward that recommendation,” he stated. Cllr Wilson said he was “more than happy with the amendment”.
In an online post, Cllr Wilson commented after the meeting: “I firmly believe council has a duty to deliver Christmas events within the heart of each of our town’s communities. Randalstown has its own identity, traditions, and sense of place, it should never be absorbed into Antrim’s switch‑on.
“Doing so would leave our most vulnerable residents, and those without transport, without an event that properly reflects and respects the town they call home.
“I participated in the working group established to review the proposed changes and helped make the case for retaining the status quo, I’m glad that, subject to approval at full council, common sense has prevailed.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter