Council explain reason why 2024 Christmas at Wollaton event is cancelled
The event has run every year for the past four years but is ‘taking a break’ for 2024
Nottingham City Council has revealed the reason for the cancellation of this year’s Christmas at Wollaton event in Wollaton Park. News that the 2024 edition of the lights display was not going ahead broke on Wednesday, August 30.
Originally, no reason was given for the cancellation. But now, the council has said that it is because of poor weather causing cancellations in a “difficult operating year”.
A spokesperson for Nottingham City Council said: “The illuminated light trail that has taken place at Wollaton Hall & Deer Park annually since 2020 is taking a break in 2024.
“Event organisers Kilimanjaro have regretfully made this decision following a difficult operating year due to inclement weather conditions resulting in cancellations. They will be working hard to reinvigorate the event in a way that overcomes these hurdles in future years.
“For the last four years, the light trail has brought festive joy to 400,000 guests with a sparkling route around the grounds of Wollaton Hall, showcasing unique light installations and spectacles. Nottingham City Council hopes that Wollaton’s Christmas light trail will return for 2025.”
Wollaton Hall and Deer Park’s Facebook page responded to queries confirming the scrapping of this year’s event as early as October 7. But it was not made public knowledge for another three weeks.
The event started in 2020 and has run consecutively for the last four years. Last year’s event, however, was marred by muddy conditions and resulted in bad reviews online.
The most recent, on the brand’s Facebook page, says: “Awful, no where near as many lights as last year. Half the trail was in darkness. Paid full price and feel so let down and ripped off.”
Another, listing their tour route missing out certain sections of the lights dislay and some poorly lity features as disappointments, said: “We were really disappointed with Wollaton lights this year. We have been coming for the past 4 years but this year we felt that the whole event was disorganised and underwhelming.”
And a third said: “What have you done?!?! This used to be SO GOOD!! With everything in life we should aim to improve year on year but this… I was utterly flabbergasted, I thought maybe we’d taken a wrong turn and missed half of the trail but no, instead the organisers have apparently decided to take the ‘Lights’ out of ‘Christmas Lights’ and waste everyone’s time.”
