All you need to know: It’s the Christmas lights switch on for 2026

Newport city centre is about to get very festive, and we’re proud to be part of it.

Newport City Radio is working with Newport Now BID and Newport City Council to bring you Countdown to Christmas, a family afternoon running from 2pm to 5.30pm.

What’s on

• Live music on the main stage all afternoon, at the junction of Charles Street and Commercial Street
• Fairground rides
• Costume characters and face painters
• Three massive local acts 
• Guest DJs from Newport City Radio
• Stage appearances from the cast of Cinderella, this year’s Riverfront Theatre panto
• A visit from Santa
• Celebrity guests, with three star acts sharing more than 25 million worldwide record sales as joint headliners

The big finish

The headliners will join the Mayor of Newport, Councillor Deb Harvey, to push the button and switch on the city centre Christmas lights. Then head to John Frost Square for a breathtaking laser light show.

Supporting local
This is the 11th annual Countdown to Christmas. Newport Now BID chairman Zep Bellavia said: “We are sure this year will prove just as popular as previous events and, as usual, there will be a fantastic family feel to the day.”

The BID represents more than 600 city centre businesses, most of them small independents. Come along, enjoy the day, and keep your Christmas shopping local.

More details, including the celebrity guests and other performers, will be revealed over the next few weeks. Keep listening to Newport City Radio and following our socials so you don’t miss an announcement.

Keeping it local. Keeping it live.