Peebles Christmas Lights Association

30/05/2026

This year SBC have announced they will not be funding a Christmas Tree for the end of the High Street.

https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/26143953.hawick-debate-council-decision-axe-christmas-trees/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwdGRzaASHeSRjbGNrBId5HWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHtwNg1rG8LBZ6f8V_2yrUq3PlIaj34B3GQJGv-0fzE7TY5trvmJdcE7Cj76L_aem_Hl6A71Dm7YrwTS06FaqoNQ

Cash-strapped Scottish Borders Council has been accused of a “Scrooge-like” mentality after its decision to axe the provision of Christmas trees…

20/05/2026

Last Wednesday night we held our AGM, where we looked back on the previous year of events, reflected on the hard work carried out throughout the year, and re-elected our office bearers for the year ahead.

It was also an opportunity to review our annual accounts and the real costs involved in keeping Peebles Christmas Lights shining bright for the community. Last year, our total income from fundraising and donations was £8,956 while our expenditure came to £8,593

Our biggest expense continues to be the Switch On event itself, costing £5,080, with income from the event totalling £1,615.

As a small committee, we work very hard behind the scenes all year round planning the Switch On, as well as carrying out repairs and maintenance to the displays to ensure Peebles shines brightly.

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support Peebles Christmas Lights through sponsorship, donations, fundraising, and attending our events — your support really makes it all possible.

If you or your business would be interested in supporting the Lights through sponsorship or donations, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch! 🎄✨

05/05/2026

12/03/2026

We are very proud that one of our Committee Members, Malcolm Bruce has been named Tweeddale Citizen of the Year for 2025.

Malcolm is a stalwart of the Peebles community and a dedicated volunteer to so many different organisations in the town.

Congratulations Malcolm, very well deserved .

17/01/2026

Below is an article that was sent to the local press this week.

The Christmas lights which made Peebles look so cheerful over the festive season were taken down by a team of volunteers on Sunday 11th January working in very cold and wet conditions. Taking them down takes a day of hard graft whereas putting them up takes many, many hours over a 6 week period, working at weekends and dark evenings. The Association would like to thank A.T. BEST handlers ltd and Irvine Plant Limited for the use of their equipment which makes putting up and taking down the displays much easier. We would also like to thank all the businesses who supplied power for the lights in various locations in the town.

The lights may be safely stored away until November but the work of repairing, maintaining and where necessary replacing bulbs and other features will continue throughout the coming months. While we are very pleased to have some new volunteers this year we are always looking for people who are willing to give up a few hours of their time to help us.

We are very grateful for the continued sponsorship we receive from Stobo Castle Health Spa and the financial donations we receive from many individuals.

People support us in other ways, too, from the performers who provide entertainment free of charge at our Switch On Event to the ladies who organise the soup kitchens for the volunteers. It is all much appreciated.

This year’s Switch On event will be on Sunday 29th November. We look forward to seeing you there.

11/01/2026

You may wonder what motivates people to volunteer early on a Sunday morning in foul weather to take down the Christmas Lights. A mid morning bowl home of made soup and a scone lovingly prepared by Crowning Ladies and friends is the answer. Not all heroes climb ladders!

11/01/2026

How many men does it take to hold a ladder? Joking aside well done to the amazing team out in the horrible weather this morning taking down and storing the Christmas lights again for another year. We could not make Peebles sparkle without the amazing group of volunteers we have .

03/01/2026

As the festive season for 2025/26 nears an end so does our display. This will be the last night our lights in Peebles will be on. Due to work commitments of our volunteers we cannot make it till the 12th Night.

We want to thank everyone that supported us this year and hope you enjoyed the festive sparkle of our town.

Happy New Year to you all.

The 2026 Switch On will take place on Sunday 29th November.

24/12/2025

Our sincere apologies this evening.

We have a technical issue with our string that runs from Semi Chem to Time & Tide. We will endeavour to get this repaired as soon as possible.

09/12/2025

As all that fake snow finally settles after a hectic couple of weekends we must say a huge thank you to those that help make all that possible.

A huge thank you to A.T. BEST handlers ltd and Irvine Plant Limited for the use of their plant and machinery to get everything up and in place, all these logistics are just mind boggling.

We rely on several business and organisation across the town to supply power to light up parts of the display, there is far to many to list but without their continued support it would not be possible.

Again this year, we were very kindly sponsored by the Winyard Family at Stobo Castle Health Spa. This donation makes having our Switch On Event what it is each year and are very thankful.

Last but not least are all the army of volunteers who have been up and down ladders since the last week in October to get the display ready for the Switch On. Giving up Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings to make Peebles sparkle.

Photo Credit; Ian'nPam MacKay