Central London destination Marylebone Village has officially announced that English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be switching on the brand new sustainable Christmas lights display at the Merry Marylebone Christmas Lights & Shopping Event taking place this Thursday 9th November 2023 between 3pm – 8pm. The event is organised and funded by The Howard de Walden Estate in support of local mental health charity partner Mind in Brent Wandsworth and Westminster.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor will be switching on the festive Christmas lights at 6pm, taking place in the heart of Marylebone Village at the stage on Devonshire Street. The stage will be hosted by local Marylebone Village resident and BBC Radio London’s presenter Jo Good.
Ellis-Bextor has announced a very special Christmas Kitchen Disco tour for November and December, following her successful tour last year which brought her glitter live-streamed lockdown videos to sold-out stages across the country. The tour kicks off in Bexhill, before heading all around the country including a date at the London Eventim Apollo.
This year Ellis-Bextor also released her seventh solo album named Hana, inspired by a family trip to Japan. The album is her third and final album to be produced with long-time collaborator Ed Harcourt. Ellis-Bextor has a Spinning Plates podcast, where she speaks to busy working mothers from Myleene Klass to Davina McCall, and hosts her BBC Sounds show named Kitchen Disco.
To celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season, Marylebone Village is inviting shoppers to experience an unforgettable evening of late-night shopping, roaming music and over 30 market stalls selling food, drinks and gifts. A range of seasonal activities will be in full swing, including a Santa’s Grotto, a Ferris Wheel, local favorite charity tombola, a festive polaroid photographer, wreath making workshops and candle painting workshops.
Mark Kildea, CEO of The Howard de Walden Estate, said:
“This year we have installed a brand new sustainable Christmas light display to illuminate the streets of Marylebone Village for the festive season. The lights are made from 19,269 plastic bottles and will have lower energy usage from producing 95% lower consumption than conventional lighting. We are thrilled to reveal that our special guest for the evening turning on the lights will be English singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Our annual Merry Marylebone Christmas light switch on and shopping event draws together the local community and visitors for a day to kick off the festive season with creative workshops, family activities, shopping and live music.”
Simon Thompson, CEO at Mind Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster said:
“Brent, Wandsworth, and Westminster Mind are thrilled to be the chosen charity partner for the Merry Marylebone Christmas lights event. Over the past few years, this partnership has been hugely collaborative, marked by a shared effort to make a tangible difference in the lives of Westminster residents we support.
Together, we have had a significant impact on individuals facing mental health challenges in our community and empowered service users to build vital support networks and develop effective coping strategies. HDWE-funded community activities, including eco-therapy and a volunteer support programme, have seen remarkable results.
76% have reported improvements in their mental health
80% have experienced increased confidence
85% have learned and developed new skills
We are extremely proud to share our values with The Howard de Walden Estate. Their support will enable us to continue to provide essential community services to numerous individuals in Westminster and beyond.”
For full event information, participating brands, updates and activations, visit Marylebonevillage.com and follow @MaryleboneVillage to stay up-to-date with all the latest news.
