Santa Arrives by Lifeboat for Newlyn Harbour Lights Switch-On Despite Storm Darragh

A Festive Celebration Defies the Weather

Storm Darragh brought strong winds and high waves, forcing many events across Cornwall to cancel, but Newlyn’s Harbour Lights Grand Switch-On went ahead as planned on Friday 6th December. The annual event, organised by the dedicated Newlyn Harbour Lights volunteer team, transformed the harbour into a festive spectacle with colourful illuminations, fireworks, and a visit from Father Christmas.

This year, safety concerns kept Santa’s reindeer in their stable, but he made a memorable arrival aboard RNLI Penlee’s Severn Class Lifeboat Ivan Ellen, much to the delight of the gathered crowd.

Shelter in the Fish Market

The evening began inside Newlyn Fish Market, providing welcome shelter from the gale-force winds. Visitors enjoyed a choir performance by pupils from Newlyn School before stepping outside to greet Father Christmas and watch the fireworks display.

Local children Luna and Alice had the honour of switching on the lights after claiming the winning raffle tickets. Their moment signalled the start of a quieter but no less spectacular fireworks display, funded by a £6,000 grant from Penzance Council. Despite the stormy conditions, the heavy rain eased just in time for the show.

A Unique Christmas Tradition

Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds summed up the evening’s success, saying, “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. Well done the organisers, well done the Newlyn Harbour Lights volunteers, and well done everyone in Newlyn for making it such a great occasion.”

Newlyn’s Harbour Lights Grand Switch-On continues to be a standout festive tradition, attracting crowds from across Cornwall and beyond.