Parade to mark switching on of Cork city Christmas lights set to cost €90,000

A Cork city Christmas parade for 2024 will cost €90,000.

At a meeting last week, councillors agreed on a new format for the switching-on of the Christmas lights, which has not happened since 2019, due to crowd safety. The Echo can now reveal the budget for this event is €90,000.

The information was contained in a report presented to councillors.

In March, a workshop was held with councillors to discuss a public event to celebrate the Christmas lights being turned on.

A number of scenarios were discussed, and these were assessed based on safety, feasibility, value for money, and impact.

Parade

The option recommended to councillors, which was subsequently agreed upon, is a Christmas parade that includes music, local community participation, and a “commissioned artistic Christmas procession” in the city centre.

“This is a proven format that can manage large numbers safely,” the report stated.

“High-impact and value-for-money in terms of citizen reach.

“This is a new approach that can be viewed by large numbers safely without the need of screens.”

The event will “impact traffic in the city, similar to a traditional switch-on event” and that the budget has been set at €90,000.

Operations, including security, barriers, first aid, and event management, are budgeted at €40,000, while €5,000 would be needed for road closures and cleaning works.

Meanwhile €40,000 has been budgeted for the Christmas procession and community workshops, with €5,000 for contingency.

Magic

A spokesperson for Cork City Council recently confirmed that planning for Christmas 2024 is “well underway” and that these plans include “a live event in the city centre to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights”.

“We look forward to delivering a family-focused event that will bring the magic of Christmas for all, and kick off the festive season in the city centre,” they added.

Further details, the spokesperson said, will be announced in the autumn.