HARLOW is back for Christmas – and this week, I’m diving into the stories, spirit and surprises bringing our town back to life.

On Saturday, we welcomed thousands of residents to a truly spectacular Light Up Broad Walk event. For years, we have spoken about the renewal of our town centre – about investment, regeneration, and rebuilding Broad Walk as a new beating heart for Harlow. In fact, for decades it’s been promised and never materialised.

But this weekend, for the first time, we didn’t just talk about the future. We saw it. We walked through it. We felt it.

For one evening, Broad Walk wasn’t just a street – it became a stage, a celebration, and a moment we will look back on as the start of something bigger.

The newly renewed Broad Walk came alive in a way I have never seen before. The incredible Sparks! Drummers transformed the space with light and sound that rippled through the crowd – rhythm bouncing off the new paving and fresh façades. Local performers, singers and dance groups added even more energy, showing the depth of talent in our town and proving what can happen when a community comes together.

It wasn’t just a Christmas event; it was a statement. A clear glimpse of what the rebuilt town centre will be like – vibrant, welcoming, bustling and full of life.

And it wasn’t just me who felt that. Throughout the evening, I met residents who were overflowing with genuine pride – not only about the event but about what it represents for Harlow.

I could share dozens of those conversations, but here are two that really struck me.

First, a grandmother stopped me near the stage with her two grandchildren in glowing reindeer antlers. She told me, “I remember bringing their mum down here for Christmas when she was this age. Back then it felt magical. Tonight – this is the first time in years it’s felt like that again.” It was a powerful reminder that regeneration is not only about physical change – it is about rekindling memories and creating new ones.

Then, a young father shared something that struck me deeply. “I moved back to Harlow last year,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I’d made the right choice. But tonight… tonight made me proud to say I’m from here.”

That is what rebuilding our town is truly about: restoring pride and creating hope.

Another thing that made this weekend special is that the council put on the entire event for free – a gift to residents at a time when bringing people together matters more than ever. What many may not realise is just how much work went on behind the scenes. Teams across the council spent weeks preparing – planning routes, installing lighting, coordinating performers, ensuring safety, managing logistics and making sure every detail worked seamlessly. Their dedication made it possible for thousands to enjoy a magical evening without spending a penny.

And this weekend was just the warm-up. Next weekend will see the arrival of the Christmas Market which promises to be an even bigger celebration for families, traders, and visitors – adding more festive cheer to the town centre and carrying forward the momentum we’ve built together.

Light Up Broad Walk was only the beginning – not just of Christmas, but of the new era ahead. Because the transformation of Broad Walk is only one part of the once-in-a-generation rebuilding of our town centre.

Work is well underway on the new Bus Station, the redevelopment of Market Square, the creation of the Arts and Cultural Quarter, the renewal of Market House, and so much more. Piece by piece, project by project, we are shaping a town centre that will be modern, vibrant and full of opportunity for decades to come.

What we witnessed on Saturday captures exactly what Building Harlow’s Future is all about. Bricks and mortar matter – investment matters – but the heart of this mission is people. It is about pride, memories, and a community that believes in its town again.

As I looked across Broad Walk – packed with families, lit by music and colour – I felt something that so many residents told me they felt too: hope.

Hope for a town centre we can love again.
Hope for new opportunity.
Hope for a better future for your children and grandchildren.

This Christmas, Harlow isn’t just lighting up its streets. We’re Building Harlow’s Future.

And after this weekend, I have never been prouder to say: Harlow is back.