The City Council provides the Christmas illuminations in the City centre, but not those in the Three Spires shopping area. The ‘switch on’ of the lights is preceded by events on the Market Square, with a festive market along Pool Walk. A specialist security firm is employed to assist with crowd control and marshalling on the day, with more than 20 such personnel on site for the event, there is also a Police presence. Anti-crush barriers are provided by another specialist company and placed in front of the stage, and the event is subject to rigorous risk assessment from independent Health and Safety advisors.
The switch on event was previously held on a Thursday, but a switch to a Sunday saw attendance grow inexorably and the event has become a mainstay of the festive season in Lichfield. Preparations for the event begin several months beforehand, and the illuminations themselves consist of more than 5,000 bulbs, a light canopy over the Market Square and various animated features.