On 5 December Hackney residents are invited to gather at the Town Hall to celebrate the switching on of the borough’s Christmas lights and help usher in the season of goodwill.

After last year’s event was cancelled due to Covid restrictions, this year’s festivities will get Hackney back into the Christmas spirit with live music and carols performed by Oldhill Community School and Children's Centre, who earlier this year changed their name from Tyssen Primary school in line with the Council’s Review, Rename, Reclaim project. The Hackney Empire Community choir will also perform festive favourites to welcome the holiday season. 

Stars from Hackney Empire’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk will be leading the Christmas lights countdown, before the Square lights up for the festive season at 5pm.

Hackney’s festive celebrations begin at 7:30pm on Sunday 28 November, with a ceremony for the illumination of the Menorah, to signal the start of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. The special 12ft Menorah will stand next to Hackney Town Hall for the duration of Hanukkah. Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, President of Shomrim in Stamford Hill, will read a blessing to mark the first lighting of the Menorah. The remaining lights will be illuminated over the following week.

Residents from across the borough are invited to come together to enjoy the community spirit and learn about the universal messages of this important Jewish festival.

Watch last year’s 'Spirit of Hackney' Festive Film, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and community spirit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSZzTXu_7Sk