Christmas in Whitchurch – lights & markets

Whitchurch Christmas Lights Switch On

Whitchurch Christmas lights will be switched on by the Citizen of the Year on Saturday 26th November at 5pm.

But the whole town invite you to all the activities taking place on 26th November, including:

  • indoor and outdoor Christmas Markets from 10am to 6pm in the town centre with gifts, crafts, dance performances, live music and hot food stalls
  • Father Christmas
  • children’s fairground rides in the Bullring
  • late night shopping for local businesses.
  • St Alkmund’s Church Crib Festival
  • St John’s Church Christmas Fair in the Civic Centre’s Main Hall
  • Christmas Crafts in the library from 10am – 12 noon.

Christmas capture

The Town’s Christmas lights will be switched on by the Citizen of the Year, as voted for by Whitchurch residents.  A tradition started by the current Mayor of Whitchurch, Councillor Mike McDonald, in 2015.  The new town flag will also be unveiled at the switch on.

Whitchurch’s Lantern Parade which will begin its journey from the Market Hall at 4.30pm. The parade will travel along Brownlow Street, through Green End and then up the High Street before the town’s Christmas lights are switched on outside the Civic Centre at 5pm.

Acting Town Clerk Zoë Dean, said: “This is a wonderful event for the whole family and we look forward to lighting up the streets of Whitchurch every year. This year we have some brand new lights and one or two surprises for the switch on – a day both the young, and young at heart, will enjoy.”

Shropshire Council is offering free parking in its Pay and Display car parks in Whitchurch for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on celebration on Saturday 26th November 2016.

The free parking will be on offer from 2pm to 6pm to encourage people to visit and shop in the town before the lights are switched on at 5pm.

The car parks at which free parking will apply are:

  • Newtown,
  • Castle Hill,
  • St John’s Street,
  • Pepper Street,
  • Brownlow Street.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s great that we can once again support the Lights Switch On and Whitchurch’s town centre traders by once again offering free parking on the afternoon of this special event. I hope people take advantage of this offer and make this an extra special day for the town, and for its businesses.”

Hilary Seward, Chair of Whitchurch Chamber of Trade notes: “Whitchurch traders are all set for a buoyant festive season and we all look forward to meeting customers new & old. To be fair you can buy just about whatever you need in Whitchurch, so hopefully people will help keep the town thriving by supporting local businesses.”

Please see /events/christmas-lantern-workshop/ for details about lantern workshops in the run up to the event. The workshops start on 5th November at the Civic Centre and run for four weeks.

Visit the Whitchurch Council website for the full switch on schedule.

On Saturday 3rd December Whitchurch Farmers’ Market is hosting a special Christmas themed market in the Bullring from 8.30am – 2pm.

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