Newmarket Christmas Event Supported by West Suffolk Council with Free Parking
West Suffolk Council is offering free parking and extended facilities to support Newmarket's popular Christmas lights switch-on event.
By Rebecca Flint
••2 min read
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Generic image: with blurred figures of people enjoying the atmosphere.
West Suffolk Council is providing free parking in its town centre car parks from 4pm on Friday 20 November to support Newmarket's annual Christmas lights switch-on event.
The Love Newmarket event, which is expected to attract large crowds, aims to boost local cafes, restaurants, and shops. In addition to free parking, the Guineas car park and its toilets will remain open until 9pm, with additional street cleaning scheduled for the following Saturday morning.
Cllr Dave Taylor, Cabinet Member for Operations at West Suffolk Council, expressed delight in supporting the event, highlighting its importance for town centre businesses during the Christmas period. He hopes the festive displays and free parking will encourage more people to support local traders.
Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council, described the switch-on as a great festive event for the community and welcomed the support for Love Newmarket, including the extended opening hours for the Guineas car park and toilets.
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"Newmarket’s Christmas lights switch-on and free parking - what’s not to love. The Christmas lights are always fabulous in Newmarket, and I’m thrilled that West Suffolk Council is getting into the Christmas spirit early to support Love Newmarket’s big night. Wrap up warm, grab a mulled wine and do some Christmas shopping in some local shops. Let’s celebrate turning on the lights in style."
New this year, Lakenheath Silver Band will perform in The Guineas Shopping Centre from 5:30pm to 7pm, offering festive tunes for attendees to enjoy while supporting nearby businesses.
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"We are incredibly grateful to West Suffolk Council for their continued support of the Love Newmarket Christmas Lights Switch On. This event is about so much more than switching on the lights; it brings our community together, creates a real sense of festive excitement and encourages people to spend time in our town centre. For our independent retailers, cafés, pubs and restaurants, the Christmas period is hugely important, particularly at a time when businesses are facing increasing pressures. We want to encourage people to come into Newmarket, enjoy the festivities, shop locally and support the wonderful businesses that make our town so special."
Based on information from the official source: West Suffolk Council (12/11/2026)
