The festive season in Tamworh will begin with a magical Christmas Lights switch-on, on 26th November. The countdown to Christmas will be launched on the Sunday in style, at 5pm, at St Editha’s Square. Festivities will be held throughout the day, from 1pm, with festive fun for the whole family. Find here the town in Christmas cheer, including live music, fairground rides, walk-about characters, a lantern parade, dance performers, crafts, face-painting, a Christmas market and personal appearances. from The Gruffalo, in intervals, in Ankerside Shopping Centre.
The play-leader of Tamworth council has been holding free lantern workshops by visiting primary schools. These lanterns will join the parade during the switch-on of lights planned at 4pm. The parade will set off from the Castle Grounds’ Castle Activity Centre, to make its way to St Editha’s Square, to finish it here with festive walk-about characters, an inflatable snowman, stilt-walkers, a gingerbread man and circus performers to meet them. Glow-sticks to glow the lanterns will be handed to children,from the activity centre, prior to the parade. The Activity Centre will have lantern-making workshops on the day, led by the workshop leader here and its free.
The main event at 5pm, will have the winner of the of a special Bake-Off competition, Amanda Little, honoured to switch on the lights. Mayor of Tamsworth – Councillor John Chesworth, The Gruffalo and Father Christmas will accompany. St Editha’s Square will host the live music show on the Touch FM stage, with performances from 2pm. George Street will host the Christmas market, with a range of products at stalls, along with the Tamworth Wind Band playing. The Christmas Tree Festival also returns to St Editha’s Church.
Councillor Joy Goodall, council member for Environment and Culture, said the event is another highlight in the free arts and events programme offered with partner Tamworth Christmas-Lights Festival Committee. He urged everybody to not miss the parade, free event and activities, for a perfect start to the Christmas season.
