Primary pupils who win the Mayor's card or poem contest help switch on Brentwood's Christmas lights on 21 November. Entries close Wednesday 11 November.

Primary school children from across Brentwood borough can win a place on stage at next month’s Christmas lights switch-on. The prize goes to the winners of the Mayor’s Christmas card and poetry competitions, which close on Wednesday 11 November.

The Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Nicky Cuthbert, launched the competitions on 22 October. The winning design will be printed on the Mayor’s official Christmas card, and so will the winning poem. (Brentwood Borough Council, 22 October 2026)

Both winners get a prize and an invitation to join the Mayor on stage at Lighting Up Brentwood on Saturday 21 November. The lights go on at 5pm on the Main Stage in the High Street. Our Christmas lights switch-on page has the full running order for the day.

The rules

Entries are open to children of primary school age across the borough.

For the card design:

  • an original festive design showing what Christmas means to the child
  • on A4 paper, portrait way up
  • no glitter, cotton wool or other raised decorations, so the design can be reproduced

For the poem:

  • a Christmas poem titled “My Christmas Wish”
  • no more than 200 words

Every entry must include:

  • the child’s name and age
  • their school
  • a contact name, with a phone number or email address

How to enter

Scan the entry and email it to mayors.secretary@brentwood.gov.uk by Wednesday 11 November 2026.

“I’m always inspired by the imagination of young people across our borough,” the Mayor said, “and I can’t wait to see their festive ideas come to life through this year’s artwork and poems.”

What it means for you

  • Ten days before the switch-on is the deadline. Entries close on 11 November, and the winners will need to be free on the afternoon of Saturday 21 November.
  • There are two competitions, one for a card design and one for a poem, and the winners of both are invited on stage.
  • Parking on the day: the council is making the Coptfold Road multistorey free all day on 21 November. Our parking in Brentwood page covers the other car parks.