Why Simon’s Town’s Christmas lights are a cherished community tradition

The annual Switching on of the Christmas Lights in Simon’s Town has become a defining moment of the festive season, but the town’s tradition of marking celebrations through light stretches back well over a century.

Long before modern Christmas lights or even electricity, Simon’s Town was already known for illuminating its streets during significant occasions.

During Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, historical accounts describe the town as having been “en fête for over two weeks.”

The entire community celebrated with decorations, festivities, and illuminated streets, with “the whole of the long winding main road” decorated and “not a lamppost left uncovered,” according to Steph Mellor from simonstown.com.

At the time, illumination was created using candles placed in coloured jars - red, white and blue - each holding a flat candle that was lit at dusk.

This produced a flickering glow across buildings and streets, demonstrating that the idea of “lighting up the town” formed part of Simon’s Town celebrations long before Christmas lights, as they are known today.

That early tradition has evolved into the modern Switching on of the Christmas Lights, now held annually in Jubilee Square and organised by the Simon’s Town Business Association (STBA).

Over the years, the event has grown into a much-anticipated community gathering that draws both residents and visitors into the town centre.

“The event is an integral part of the festive atmosphere in Simon’s Town,” Ms Mellor said.

In the evening, Jubilee Square is transformed into a festive gathering space as people arrive early, often bringing their own chairs to secure a place.

“People gather in Jubilee Square, often bringing their own chairs, because pre-booked chairs fill up quickly,” Ms Mellor said.

The ceremony typically includes performances by the SA Navy Band, often featuring marching elements or a parade of service vehicles, and is sometimes complemented by performances from a local school band.

A festive arrival by Father Christmas has also become a regular feature of the evening.

“There is usually a festive arrival of a ‘Father Christmas’,” Ms Mellor said. “In recent years, he’s even arrived by boat at the square.”

The event is open to the public and, in many years, entry is free, although there may be a small charge for those who wish to book a chair.

While the custom of illuminating the town dates back to the late 19th century, the modern Christmas lights tradition gained renewed momentum in 2019, when Simon’s Town resident Eric Laing, who has since passed away, made an initial donation of R30 000.

That contribution helped establish what has since become an annual event, and the switching on of the Christmas lights now pays homage to Mr Laing’s role in helping to get the tradition underway.

From candlelit jars lining the main road more than a century ago to a large community gathering in Jubilee Square today, the Switching on of the Christmas Lights reflects a tradition that has grown with the town itself.

What has remained constant is its role in bringing people together at the start of the festive season, continuing Simon’s Town’s long-standing custom of celebrating through light.