Witney's high street was packed with thousands of families for the Christmas lights event on Friday.

Dozens of food and shopping stalls lined the streets and crowds were entertained with live music, choirs, a funfair, a steam engine and Father Christmas in his grotto. 

There were Christmas music performances from the stage by Madley Brook School Choir, Wood Green Swing Band and West Oxfordshire Academy of Performing Arts.

Cotswold Journal: Witney Christmas lights switch on 2023

At 6pm, the lights were switched on by Wood Green Interact joint presidents Matilda and Emmeline.

Cotswold Journal: Witney Christmas lights switch on 2023

They were joined on stage by the mayor of Witney Owen Collins and town crier Jean Postlethwaite-Dixon, Witney MP Robert Courts and Revd Toby Wright, rector of St Mary’s.

Also in attendance were Keith Crawford, president of the Rotary Club of Witney and Claire Bhogal, director of Abbott Diabetes Care, a major sponsor.

The event was organised by the Rotary Club of Witney and sponsored by local businesses, including main sponsors Witney Town Council, Abbott Diabetes Care, Chris Hayter Transport and Sportif Suzuki.

Cotswold Journal: Witney Christmas lights switch on 2023