Sing-along-a-Santa will be the star attraction at Marlborough’s Christmas lights switch on event this year.
Father Christmas will be leading children in sing-alongs of festive favourites throughout the We Love Christmas event, organised by We Love Marlborough. The event will be held at the newly-refurbished Town Hall between 3pm and 8pm on Thursday, November 24.
The Town Hall will offer a host of seasonal attractions in the warm and dry. The popular Christmas gift art market – where artists and crafts people sell original and affordable Christmas gifts – has expanded over two floors for the first time in its three-year history.
Santa – when he isn’t leading little ones in a sing-song – will be in his beautifully-decorated grotto, taking early gift orders. Hot food and drink will be served, giving parents the chance to chill out – or get warm – while children entertain themselves on the free crafts tables.
Marlborough Christmas LightsMarlborough’s Christmas lights display, organised and funded by Marlborough Town Council, will be switched on at 7pm by the town’s Citizen of the Year – whose identity is revealed on the night – and the winners of the children’s choir competition, which will be held at neighbouring St Mary’s Church from 5pm to 6.45pm.
And many of the town’s shops will be keeping their doors open until 8pm, as part of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce Late Night Shopping season, which takes place on We Love Christmas night and then every Thursday until December 22.
Louisa Davison of We Love Marlborough said: “We wanted to offer families an event that would last from school or nursery finish until after the lights are switched on. Father Christmas is really hectic from 6.45pm to 8pm, so come down early and beat the queue.”
Marlborough Town Hall in lightsPaul Shimell, president of Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “We Love Christmas promises to be a fantastic platform from which to launch Christmas shopping season in Marlborough.
“Our late night shopping events give busy people the chance to shop for Christmas presents out of work hours and in a relaxed atmosphere.”
And Richard Pitts of Marlborough Town Council said: “We see the Christmas lights as a vital part of our street scene in the shortest days of the year.
“We know this event encourages people as far away as Bristol and Swindon to come to the town enjoy the festive mood and and shop until they drop in one of many restaurants and pubs. We sincerely hope all will come and enjoy the fun of the Christmas lights switch on!”
We Love Christmas is organised by We Love Marlborough, a not-for-profit organisation putting art at the heart of the town, and supported by Marlborough Chamber of Commerce and David Dudley jewellers.
For updates and event times, look out for leaflets during November or watch out for updates on Marlborough News Online.