From sketch to sparkle: children’s Christmas light designs illuminate Sevenoaks

Published: 10 December 2025

Earlier this year, Sevenoaks Town Council invited local children to take part in a festive challenge to design a Christmas light. A fantastic array of creative artwork was received from talented young people aged 11 and under.

This year’s winner was Edeline, who drew a wonderful illustration of a Christmas Gonk – a whimsical figure with a long, bushy beard and pointed hat pulled over its eyes. Often compared to gnomes, Gonks originate from Scandinavian folklore.

 

This winning design has been brought to life and is now displayed in Sevenoaks, above the House in Basement youth café entrance, along with previous competition winners’ lights.

On Thursday 4 December, Edeline and last year’s winner, Caleb Wood, attended an official switch-on ceremony with their families. They were joined by the Mayor of Sevenoaks Cllr Tony Clayton, Cllr Libby Ancrum, as well as Chris Hugo and Ayush Gurung from the competition sponsor, Knocker & Foskett.

 

Last year’s winning design by Caleb featured a candle shaped like an acorn with the word “Joy” written across it – a fitting symbol for Sevenoaks. Caleb’s brother, Joseph, also received recognition for his competition entry.

 

Following the lights switch-on, the families were invited to enjoy refreshments at House in the Basement youth café.

Sevenoaks Town Council thanks all the children who submitted their marvellous designs for this year’s Design a Christmas Light Competition. Shops in Sevenoaks are proudly displaying the entries in their windows, so keep an eye out for them as you explore the town this festive season!

For more information about Sevenoaks Town Council’s Christmas events, including our Christmas Market in Bligh’s Meadow from 11-24 December, visit our Christmas webpage.