Last week the University held its annual Christmas Lights Switch On, which is always the traditional curtain-raiser to the festive period.
It’s the third one I’ve been to whilst at Southampton and even though we’re not quite done for the semester, it never fails to provide us with some much-needed Christmas cheer.
The event attracts masses of students, staff and local residents alike and has been running for about five years now. I remember back in my first year how excited I was, seeing the University community come together to see the Christmas lights being switched on, usually a month before the big day itself.
Last week no disappointment either. The Switch On always takes place on the Redbrick area which is the main hub of our campus on Highfield. The festive atmosphere is enhanced by Christmas carols and an excitable snow machine, plus the campus is a hive of activity with individual huts set up like a proper Christmas market, with societies promoting themselves or simply selling food to raise money for their respective societies.
The brass band helping to warm up the crowds
If that weren’t enough, you’ve also got a host of vans selling an array of quintessential fairground food that you just can’t do without, ranging from doughnuts to candy floss and much, much more. My family more than anyone else know that I just wouldn’t be able to turn down the opportunity to get fresh doughnuts, so I had to take my chance!
Of course, the pinnacle of the evening was the actual switching on of the lights at 6pm, when the button was pressed by Capital Radio’s South Coast presenters, Emma (an alumnus of the University!) and Tom, and suddenly, Highfield Campus was glowing resplendently in blue, draped across the trees.
Moments before the Switch On!
The illuminations on campus
There’s just something about the lights which makes Highfield Campus look somewhat magical at night, though that’s not to say it doesn’t look great during the rest of the year!
For me, the run-up to Christmas is now well underway and is a period that I look forward to almost as much as the day itself, with all that expectancy.
Furthermore, last week’s event has made me all the more determined to get over to Winchester’s Christmas market in the coming weeks, especially given how renowned it is across the country. You can easily get over there by train or by bus if you can’t find anyone to drive you, plus the tickets for both options are surprisingly cheap. With an ice rink, mulled wine and cider as well as an array of international gastronomic treats, what’s not to love about a good old Christmas market?
A Christmas event wouldn't be complete without a Christmas tree!
For anyone who didn’t get to see it the first time, you can still get to see the illuminations right up until the start of January. So don’t miss out on getting yourself into the festive spirit on campus!
Paul
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