Festive season gets underway with ‘Christmas Lights Festival’ 

23rd November 2020

PLEASE NOTE: This article is over 1 year old and may not contain the most up-to-date information.
IMG 4224 (2)

The festive season in the district officially got underway at the weekend with the launch of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s ‘Christmas Lights Festival’.

In a video shared on the Council’s social media channels, Santa joined the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Chris Smyth, to press the big red button to switch on the Christmas lights in Enniskillen and Omagh as well as a range of custom light displays and projections on a number of buildings in the two towns.

Christmas light displays and projections are also set to illuminate buildings in Carrickmore, Dromore, Fintona, Irvinestown and Lisnaskea over the coming weeks to tie in with locally organised Christmas activity with further details to be announced shortly.

Speaking about the ‘Christmas Lights Festival’, Councillor Smyth, said:

“Given the pandemic, the Council felt that it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring large crowds of people into the town for the Christmas lights switch on. That said we wouldn’t let Christmas pass without providing a number of alternative online events such as the Christmas lights switch on.

We hope that the Christmas Lights Festival helps to lift spirits and add some festive sparkle across the district at this time.”

The Council Chairman concluded by urging everyone to support local businesses and to follow all Covid-19 guidelines.

The Intec Centre, Courthouse, County Buildings and Townhall in Enniskillen and the Courthouse, the former provincial bank building and Sperrin House in Omagh are each illuminated with custom light displays and projections.

People are encouraged to enjoy the light displays safely by following current Covid-19 restrictions and public health guidance at all times ensuring they remain in their household bubble, keep their distance from others, practice good hand hygiene and wear a face covering when required.

A programme of festive online entertainment will also be available via the Council’s arts and cultural venues facebook pages including The Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen Castle, Marble Arch Caves, and Strule Arts Centre.

The Christmas Lights Festival is organised and funded by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.  Enniskillen BID contributed to the cost of the traditional Christmas lights in Enniskillen while funding for light displays in Carrickmore, Dromore, Fintona, Irvinestown and Lisnaskea has been provided by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. The Council is grateful to Enniskillen BID and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for its support.

For further information on the ‘Christmas Lights Festival’ please visit Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s website at www.fermanaghomagh.com, follow the Council’s social media channels or telephone 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate).