Edinburgh switches on Christmas lights in October, drawing mixed reactions
Cities across Europe are preparing Christmas light displays for the 2026 season, with London’s major shopping streets scheduling switch-ons from early November and additional neighborhood events later in the month. Limerick plans a November 21 procession, live entertainment and an official city-center switch-on, while Madrid has not yet confirmed its date and typically begins its campaign in late November. In Edinburgh, the Dome switched on its extensive display on October 20, prompting some residents to criticize the timing as too early while others welcomed the festive lights. London’s Oxford Street plans remained unconfirmed in one report, even as other displays and dates were announced.
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