Southend Pier to Sparkle with Return of Iconic Festoon Lights
The world's longest pleasure pier will be adorned with over a mile of twinkling lights for a special festive switch-on event.
By Rebecca Flint
••2 min read
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
Southend-on-Sea is set to launch its festive season on Saturday 14 November with a day of celebrations, highlighted by the return of the Southend Pier's festoon lighting.
For the first time in over two decades, the Southend Pier, the world's longest pleasure pier, will be illuminated with more than a mile of twinkling lights, creating a luminous ribbon across the Thames Estuary. The official Southend Pier Switch On is scheduled for 5:00pm, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see the landmark lit up against the night sky.
The Pier Head will feature a "glow-up" of its "On the Decks" area, complete with neon lighting, light benches, music, and entertainment. The Royal Pavilion will provide food, drinks, and cocktails. The evening's festivities will conclude with a seafront fireworks display at 7:30pm, with the pier offering a prime viewing spot.
These pier celebrations are part of a larger city-wide event organised by Southend City BID. "Christmas in the City" will feature an artisan market, live music, performances, and family activities on the High Street. The main city centre Christmas Lights Switch On will occur at 6:00pm in Victoria Circus.
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"We promised we would return festoon lighting to the pier, and that is precisely what we have done. We are committed to the regeneration of Southend and bringing some sparkle back to the pier is just the start."
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"The return of festoon lighting to Southend Pier after more than 20 years is a really special occasion for our city. We've got a fantastic evening planned, with music, entertainment, food and drink, and some brilliant new lighting features at the Pier Head. With the fireworks rounding off the evening, it's a great opportunity for families and visitors to experience the Pier in a completely different way. Combined with all the fantastic Christmas celebrations taking place in the city centre, it's shaping up to be a truly magical day in Southend, and we hope everyone will come along and join in the festivities."
Southend Pier will be open from 10:15am to 8:00pm on Saturday 14 November. Walking admission costs £3.10 for adults and £2.10 for children and concessions. Further information about the pier event is available at Southend Pier Switch On, and details of the wider Christmas celebrations can be found at www.visitsouthend.co.uk.
