Bordon is gearing up for a festive community evening as Sacred Heart Church prepares to host its annual Christmas Light Switch-On at Chalet Hil.

On Friday, November 21 from 4pm, children will have the chance to visit Santa in his grotto and share their Christmas wishes.

Each child will need a ticket to meet Santa, while adults and older children can enjoy the wider festivities without booking in advance.

To keep the event running smoothly, organisers have introduced 15-minute arrival windows for each session. Families can turn up at any point within their slot, easing pressure on those managing busy schedules. While waiting, children can meet live donkeys, get creative with craft activities led by The Land Trust, or grab a reasonably priced bite from Deadwater Valley Trust, which will be selling £3 burgers throughout the evening.

A spokesperson for Sacred Heart Church said: “We wanted to give families more flexibility this year, making the experience enjoyable and stress-free. There’s plenty to do while you wait, so everyone can get into the festive spirit.”

A small fee of £1 per child will be collected for grotto visits, with both cash and card accepted. Proceeds will support local charities including Bordon Foodbank and the Sacred Heart Community Pantry, and larger donations will be welcomed on the night.

Families are asked to check in with the elf on arrival to help keep the event running to plan.

The Christmas Lights switch-on is expected to be a highlight of Bordon’s seasonal calendar, drawing families and neighbours together to support local causes and enjoy a lively evening of festive entertainment.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church will host the event and welcome residents keen to celebrate the start of the Christmas season.