---
title: "Christmas Lights Switch-On Event and Big Day Out 2025-2028"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL"
published: "2025-08-20"
---

# Christmas Lights Switch-On Event and Big Day Out 2025-2028

Buyer: DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2

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## Summary

Dartford Borough Council has recently completed the procurement process for organising its "Christmas Lights Switch-On Event and Big Day Out" from 2025 to 2028. The process was conducted through an open competition, specifically below threshold, with an award made to CELEBTIME LIMITED, a company based in Maidstone. The contract was signed on 20th August 2025, following the tender update published on 17th July 2025. The events are set in Central Park, Dartford, classified under event services in the CPV system. The procurement procedure covered two lots, each intended for one of the events, and these have been fully completed.

This procurement provides an ideal opportunity for SMEs specialising in event services to showcase their expertise in managing large public events. The contract includes essentials like stage hiring, sound systems, lighting, and stage management. Firms with capabilities in logistics and technical services for outdoor events can find significant growth opportunities in similar tenders. Moreover, with an opportunity for contract renewal based on performance, businesses that excel in delivering high-quality services can potentially secure extended contracts, thus creating long-term business relationships and stability.

## Notice

Dartford Borough Council Christmas Lights Switch-on is a popular free family event which takes place the first Saturday following Remembrance Sunday in November of each year. Dartford Borough Council's Big Day Out is a popular 2-day free family event which takes place over one weekend, Saturday & Sunday, in July each year. The event location is Central Park, Dartford

### Lot Information

Christmas Lights Switch On

The contractor will hire and manage the following: * Stage Limited space means a specified size is required; 6.1m wide x 4.88m deep with roof frame to span over the stage and with front of stage barriers for use on hard standing, including 2m gate for disabled access. The stage must be delivered, built, derigged and taken from site the same day. Access to the site is available from 6.30am. * PA/Sound PA, FOH Stage Monitor System, Control side of stage, Microphones & DI's, RF Equipment and Technical Services * Stage Lighting Technical specification as deemed appropriate by the contractor * Generator Technical specification as deemed appropriate by the contractor * Stage Management

Renewal: Use of 2 x 12 month extensions is dependent on the successful delivery of the initial year events

Big Day Out

The successful contractor will hire and manage the following: * Stage A stage with a maximum size of 7m wide x 45m deep with roof frame to span over the stage and with front of stage barriers, for use on grass. The stage must be delivered and built on the Friday before the event then derigged and taken from site at the close of the event on the Sunday. * PA/Sound PA, FOH Stage Monitor System, Control side of stage, Microphones & DI's, RF Equipment and Technical Services * Stage Lighting Technical specification as deemed appropriate by the contractor, likely minimal given that the event takes place in daylight. * Generator Technical specification as deemed appropriate by the contractor * Mobile screen There will be one mobile screen side stage, wholly managed by the contractor. The Council is open to appropriate recommendations in respect of the screen, but the following has worked well in previous years; 5m x 3m LED screen with 4.8mm Pixel pitch and Audio. The screen to be delivered, installed and taken away, and at least one on-site technician to remain for the 2 days of the event.

Renewal: Use of 2 x 12 month extensions is dependent on the successful delivery of the initial year events

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050152-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 28 Jul 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 6 Aug 2025 |
| Contract period | 20 Aug 2025 - 20 Aug 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £184,800 |
| Lots value | £184,800 |
| Awards value | £175,000 |
| Contracts value | £175,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DARTFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL |
| Locality | DARTFORD |
| Post town | Dartford |
| Postcode | DA1 1DR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent |
| ITL 3 | TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway |
| Local authority | Dartford |
| Electoral ward | Town |
| Westminster constituency | Dartford |
| Delivery location | TLJ43 Kent Thames Gateway |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CELEBTIME |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### Codes

- 79952000 - Event services
- 92300000 - Entertainment services

## Release History

- 20 Aug 2025 at 11:21 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050152-2025
- 7 Aug 2025 at 10:08 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046813-2025
- 17 Jul 2025 at 08:23 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040716-2025
- 1 Jul 2025 at 12:56 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036427-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050152-2025
  20th August 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046813-2025
  7th August 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040716-2025
  17th July 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036427-2025
  1st July 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=bb3430c3-a651-f011-813a-005056b64545&p=8691483f-2f3d-e711-80e1-005056b64545
  Kent Business Portal opportunity

## Notice URLs

- http://www.celebtime.co.uk
- http://www.dartford.gov.uk
- http://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556c2.json.