Musical starlet, Gabriella Goldie, will be among the star attractions delighting crowds at Colchester’s Christmas Lights Switch On celebrations this Saturday <
Gabriella, 9, proved a smash hit with audiences as she won 2025’s Colchester Has Talent competition earlier this year.
Her performances of Wicked’s No Good Deed and Defying Gravity received rave reviews as she won the Colchester Has Talent title and she will take to the stage in Lion Walk Shopping Centre this Saturday for a repeat performance.
Her victory at the Colchester Lights Switch On will be no ordinary encore as it will mark a perfectly timed celebration, as the eagerly awaited film sequel Wicked: For Good opens in UK cinemas the same weekend.
With crowds of up to 70,000 expected to visit Colchester City Centre for the festive lights switch on, activities begin in Lion Walk at 5.30pm, with the official light switch-on between 7.00pm and 7.30pm.
Alongside the incredible performance from Gabriella, the evening’s line-up continues with a dazzling showcase of live performances and family favourites including appearances from Frozen’s Elsa, Anna and Olaf, and the main man himself, Santa Claus.
Martin Leatherdale, Centre Manager at Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Gabriella Goldie to the stage. Winning Colchester Has Talent at just nine years old is a phenomenal achievement, and to have her perform numbers from Wicked in sync with the release of Wicked: For Good just adds one more extra special twist to the incredible line up at this year’s switch-on event.”
Gabriella added: “I can’t wait to be back on stage at the Colchester Lights Switch-On. It was such a thrill to win Colchester Has Talent and the response has been amazing. Wicked is my favourite musical ever and getting to perform songs like Defying Gravity in front of thousands of people feels like a dream.”
The Christmas Lights Switch On event on Friday also marks the start of the Lion Walk Courtyard’s programme Christmas Carnival events, with live entertainment, delicious refreshments and Father Christmas’ Grotto open in the run up to the big day.
For full event details, timings and updates, visit www.lionwalkcourtyard.com.
