Christmas is not canceled in Coventry, the council’s events manager has said, following criticism over the cancellation of the annual lights switch-on.

The city is hosting a “Christmas Festival” instead of a lighting event as city hall faces financial challenges.

There will also be a Christmas market and a Ferris wheel, which opens to the public the week before the event.

Jon Hogan, of Coventry City Council, said the change was about “trying something different” rather than saving money.

“The council is still investing in Christmas,” Hogan said.

“We know that some local authorities have withdrawn. Not here in Coventry. Christmas is definitely not canceled in Coventry.”

But figures shared by the council with the BBC show there would be a drop in Christmas spending this year.

The council spent around £226,000 in 2023 and around £300,000 in 2022 and 2021.

This year you will spend £160,000 on Christmas lights, decorations and activities – and save £10,000 by postponing your lights switch-on event.

Gary Ridley, leader of the Conservative opposition in Coventry, said “it is difficult to understand the logic behind canceling” the switch-on event.

He said the decision would only add to the challenges faced by retailers who rely on increased footfall in the city center over the Christmas period.

He asked: “Why has the council chosen to play Scrooge this year?”

The festival, which will begin at 16:00 GMT on November 20, will feature “Christmas icons” spread across the city, including jumping elves, Santa Claus and an aerial acrobat angel.

Late night shopping will begin on the night of the festival, which aims to attract people to the city center and boost the area’s retail economy.

“Using different smaller spaces across the city means we can accommodate large numbers of people, and the Christmas market will also occupy Broadgate,” Hogan said.

The council is seeking to make £8.4m worth of service cuts in 2024-25 to help plug a £20m shortfall in its finances.