Full Day of Festive Fun for Congleton Christmas Lights Switch on
Congleton will be switching on its Christmas Lights in just over a week’s time! Organisers have planned a full day of activity for the town centre on Saturday 24th November building towards the lantern procession and big switch on at 5.30pm.
The fun starts at 10am, with an extended Makers Market with more than 60 high quality sensational artisans selling the very best local food, drink, art, street food and craft. The stalls will be spread across the closed High Street and pedestrian area. There will also be an enhanced Congleton Market and some small children’s fairground rides.
At 12 noon six hours of entertainment will start on the main stage, located by B&M in the closed High Street area. This will include choirs, bands, dance groups and magic all led by Congleton’s Town Crier, Douglas Parker and local magician Nick Barnes. There’s lots of must see acts – the Elf Show from 1.45 – 2.15pm is expected to be a huge hit with the youngest, and youngest at heart, members of the audience, while the toes will be tapping to the Northenden Pipe band and Scottish dancers and be prepared to be wowed by talented local singer-song writer Aleya Mae from 4.10pm.
From 12 noon – 5pm there will also be a chance to help raise funds and win some great prizes at Local Charities and Organisations Fayre inside the Town Hall. The Town Hall will also be the temporary home for a Santa’s Grotto from 12 – 4pm and children can practice their art skills making some great Christmas mugs with Ruby’s fund.
The whole day will build towards switching on the lights at 5.30pm. Ahead of the switch-on, hundreds are expected to join in the traditional lantern parade which will leave Back Park Street Car Park at 5pm and wind its way towards the stage led by the Northenden Pipe band. Local families have been busy making lanterns at workshops at the Electric Picture House over the past two Saturdays – there is one more chance to make lanterns on Saturday 17th November from 10.30am – 3.30pm.
The lights will go on at 5.30pm. This will be followed by a short firework display and music before Santa says good bye to Congleton around 5.50pm. The outside stalls and rides will close at 6pm. The High Street will be back open to traffic by 8pm.
Cheshire East will be allowing people to park free of charge from 10am on Saturday 24th November on Princess Street, Fairground and Back Park Street Car Park. Time restrictions will still apply on Fairground Car Park which is limited to three hours.
The Christmas Crackers Team would like to thank the following organisations and business for their generous support with this year’s Christmas Lights Switch on – Congleton Town Council, Congleton Community Projects, Congleton Inclosure Trust, Congleton Town Trust, Congleton Young People’s Trust, Congleton Rotary, Congleton Partnership, Redrow Homes and Seddon Homes.
For the 2018 Christmas Leaflet, click here.
