Christmas light show ‘suspended’ until further notice due to crowds, Lisburn and Castlereagh council say

A popular Christmas light show in Lisburn has been suspended by the local council due to its “popularity”.
By Niall Deeney
Published 6th Dec 2020, 10:43 BST
Lisburn light festival (picture taken during last year's event). Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEyeLisburn light festival (picture taken during last year's event). Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Lisburn light festival (picture taken during last year's event). Picture by Jonathan Porter/PressEye

A spokesperson for the council said: “Due to the popularity of the light animations in Lisburn, we have been closely monitoring the situation in recent days. We implemented additional measures over the weekend to ensure that people could enjoy the animations safely.

“However, we have noted a significant increase in the number of people in the city today (Saturday 5 December) to view the lights. As a result, we have decided to suspend the animations until further notice. The lights will remain on, but the animated displays will not be operating at the scheduled times. In addition, the lights in the tunnel will be temporarily turned off.

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“We apologise to those who were looking forward to viewing the animations over the coming week. However, this decision has been taken with the health and safety of everyone visiting our city in mind.

Mr Higginson said members of the public were queuing in non-socially distanced fashion to use the council Christmas light tunnel, which is circled in green.Mr Higginson said members of the public were queuing in non-socially distanced fashion to use the council Christmas light tunnel, which is circled in green.
Mr Higginson said members of the public were queuing in non-socially distanced fashion to use the council Christmas light tunnel, which is circled in green.

“We will be reviewing the situation very carefully and will provide an update in due course.”

The show had attracted criticism in recent weeks due to the number of people turning up during the pandemic.

Stevie Higginson, owner of the Square Bistro in Lisburn, expressed his anger after he saw photographs on social media appearing to show hundreds of people waiting in a queue to see the Lisburn Light Festival.

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“Our restaurant in Lisburn square is not allowed to open after spending approximately £10k on creating a Covid safe environment plus being twice shut, down approximately another £5k-£7k but yet Lisburn council spend £500k on Christmas lights and this is what they have created,” said Mr. Higginson

Related topics:LisburnCastlereagh