STORM Darragh failed to dampen Christmas spirits in Newlyn on Friday, December 6, as crowds crammed inside a fish market for the Newlyn Harbour Lights Grand Switch-On event.

With weather warnings for high winds forcing many events across Cornwall to be cancelled, Newlyn forged ahead with its popular festive switch-on, which sees the harbour lit up with colourful illuminations every December.

Too windy for his reindeer-driven sleigh, Father Christmas could not be deterred by the conditions and was safely brought into the harbour aboard RNLI Penlee's all-weather Severn Class Lifeboat Ivan Ellen, to the delight of the crowd.

As the countdown reaches one, Luna presses the button to switch on the lights. Santa swaps his sleigh for a lifeboat as Storm Darragh approaches at the Newlyn Harbour Lights Grand Switch On on Friday 6 December. Photo by Penzance Council
As the countdown reaches one, Luna presses the button to switch on the lights. (Picture: Penzance Council)

The event is organised by Newlyn Harbour Lights, a small group of volunteers who work tirelessly all year round to create one of the most popular Christmas light displays in Cornwall. Each year, the evening attracts a huge crowd to watch a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour, as the iconic lights are switched on.

This year, £6,000 of grant funding awarded to Newlyn Harbour Lights by Penzance Council was used to deliver a fireworks display to rival previous years, whilst being deliberately quieter. Having watched a performance by a choir of pupils from Newlyn School inside the sheltered Newlyn Fish Market, people braved the outdoors to greet Father Christmas and watch the fireworks display.

Video: Penzance Council

Winning raffle tickets in hand, local school children Luna and Alice were invited to switch on the Christmas lights, initiating the start of the fireworks. Although the wind was gathering strength with Storm Darragh approaching, the heavy rain eased in time for the display.

Speaking after the finale, mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds commented: “There are lots of Christmas lights switch-on events all around the world, but there’s none quite like Newlyn’s, with the lifeboat, with Newlyn School, with the fireworks, and of course, with Storm Darragh, who brought a little bit to the party, but thankfully, not too much! So, well done everyone.

Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds. Santa swaps his sleigh for a lifeboat as Storm Darragh approaches at the Newlyn Harbour Lights Grand Switch On on Friday 6 December. Photo by Penzance Council
Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds (Picture: Penzance Council)

“Well done the organisers, well done the Newlyn Harbour Lights volunteers, and well done everyone in Newlyn for making it such a great occasion.”