London Bridge Resort Getting Ready For The Holiday Season

By Becky Maxedon

It’s nearly time for the vision of sugar plums to dance in the heads of Lake Havasu City children of all ages.

London Bridge Resort, with the assistance of Santa’s helpers, has been preparing the 29^th annual Festival of Lights and the 12 Days of Christmas.

Kristina Gallo, assistant manager of guest experience – and elf – at London Bridge Resort, said the crew has been working on the display since the end of September.

“At first we had to go through all the lights to make sure they are working,” Gallo said.

“We will continue to put them up all the way down to beach to Kokomo so we’re ready for the swim race that happens on Nov. 29,” she said.

Festival of Lights Swim Across the Channel Lake Havasu

The winner from the 2023 Swim Across the Channel turns on the switch to the London Bridge lights. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“It’s the tradition. We have about 120 to 130 swimmers that swim across the (Bridgewater) Channel. Whoever wins that race gets to turn on the lights in all the English Village. It’s choreographed with 750,000 lights along with music. That’s the start of our Christmas,” Gallo continued.

The 12 Days of Christmas will also begin on Nov. 29 at Kokomo, 1477 Queens Bay, from 5 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

“It will be where you can go into Kokomo where we have Santa Claus and Mrs. Santa. The Grinch will have his own lair this year. We will have food vendors. We will create smores again and have other activities,” she said.

And she revealed some exciting changes this year.

“We’re working with a new company where we will have a different ice rink this year. It’s not weather restricted so we’ll have it open every day until the middle of January.

“It holds about 30 skaters at a time. For an hour to skate for ages 5 and under, it will be $10, 6 and up will be $15.”

The rink will open on Nov. 29.

London Bridge Resort Lake Havasu Christmas Lights RiverScene Magazine

Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

“We’re looking forward to a festive season this year. We’ll have all the lights on, the music going and the snow blowing,” Gallo said.

Megan Samarin is a member of the London Bridge Resort light crew.

“We put up all the lights and create a Christmas wonderland for everyone in town and we’re kind of Santa’s little helpers,” Samarin said.

“There is not one person that walks by that’s not amazed by everything … just looking at everything after its put up … so much work put in … we have a great team.”

Robbie Mitchell, Stephen Samarin, Megan Samarin and Billy Staib hang Christmas lights on the London Bridge Resort. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene

Robbie Mitchel has been working on the light crew for about 28 years.

“What I like about doing it is seeing the kids’ faces and the families that come out – how far some of them come to see the lights and what we do here.

“I like the swim race but to see the kids come up to the stage and watch them turn the lights on … it’s an awesome feeling,” he said.

Everything kicks off Nov. 29 at 6 p.m., with the swim race across the Bridgewater Channel.

Tim Carter, Robbie Mitchell, Stephen Samarin, Megan Samarin, Billy Staib, and Geoff Blair pose for a photo with Christmas lights on the London Bridge steps. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene