Find out when the Christmas lights are switched on across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin with our 2015 guide.
Shrewsbury Christmas Cracker – 18/11/15
Shrewsbury’s festive season is set to kick start with a bang as the town’s Christmas Cracker event returns, bigger and better than ever.
The merriment commences on November 18, from 5pm, when bands, choirs and acoustic acts are set to fill the town with seasonal music to mark the start of late night shopping and the launch of the Christmas lights display.
Switching on the lights this year will be stars from Theatre Severn’s pantomime, Dick Whittington, and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Miles Kenny.
The ever-popular lantern parade will also make a return and will set off from the Darwin Centre at 6pm (collection from 5pm), wending its way through the town before leading into the Square for the official countdown at 6.30pm.
Following the big switch-on members of the public are invited to gather for the annual Tree of Light launch in Darwin Shopping Centre at 7pm.
If that weren’t enough excitement, Santa and his sleigh will also be on Pride Hill from 4.30pm until 8.30pm, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Shawbury & Mid-Shropshire, and Jack the Jester will entertain with his Light Show on High Street, outside the Wheatsheaf, from 5.45-6.15pm and 6.45-7.15pm.
The evening will also see the return of the Darwin Centre’s spectacular giant reindeer which will have its very own switch-on to coincide with the Square countdown at 6.30pm.
For the first time, Shrewsbury’s Eat Street will also be a part of the festivities and will be held at St Alkmund’s from 4pm until 10pm.
There will be free parking from 4pm at Abbey Foregate, St Julian’s Friars & Frankwell Main Long Stay Car Parks each Wednesday, starting from the Christmas Lights Switch-On, until December 23.
Oswestry Christmas Lights Switch On – 19/11/15
Oswestry’s Christmas lights are set to be switched on with a ceremony at Bailey Head starting at 4pm on Thursday 19 November.
There will be festive music from Bellan House Choir, Holy Trinity School Choir, Our Lady Roman Catholic School Choir, The Marches School Choir, The Meadows Primary School Choir, Woodside School Choir, The Derwen College Makaton Choir and Stagecoach.
James Bond, of BBC Radio Shropshire will be the host and the Mayor Councillor Peter Cherrington will be there to welcome everybody.
This year the lights will be officially switched on by the original ‘Bungle The Bear’ from the hit children’s TV series Rainbow. For the younger visitors then Olaf the snowman from the film Frozen will also be there to entertain everyone. There is even an opportunity to have your picture taken with him at Max Spiellmann once the event is finished. A special lit up Mickey Mouse is also scheduled to be dropping in.
Peter Andre to switch on Christmas lights at Telford Shopping Centre – 19/11/15
Peter Andre will be taking a break from his Strictly Come Dancing training schedule to switch on the Christmas lights at Telford Shopping Centre on Thursday 19 November.
The singer and reality television star will be the guest of honour at the annual free event, which also coincides with the opening of Santa’s Grotto at the centre. There will be live family-friendly entertainment leading up to the all-important switch-on.
Tracy Hadley, Marketing and Events Manager at Telford Shopping Centre, said: “The Christmas lights switch-on always pulls in the crowds; however this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, and we are all very excited that Peter Andre will be here in Telford to get the Christmas festivities off to a fantastic start. We are sure Peter is going to be a hit with people young and old and the countdown is now on to his arrival.”
Bridgnorth Christmas Lighting Up Night – 20/11/15
On Friday 20th November from 4pm – 9pm, Bridgnorth will be full of festive cheer as the Christmas Lights are turned on in the High Street.
With late night shopping available there’s also a variety of stalls from local businesses, groups and charities which will extend through the High Street and Whitburn Street.
There will also be a funfair, bouncy castle, live reindeer and of course, Father Christmas!
The big switch on will take place on the stage at 6.15pm with the Mayor, Carnival Queen and the winner of the Christmas Design a Light competition, Evie Wilson.
A stage located at Northgate will play host to the following groups through until 9pm: Bridgnorth Primary Schools Choir, Castlefields Primary School, St. Leonard’s Primary School, St. John’s Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, Galaxy Dance, PQA, Theatre on the Steps, Carols led by Bridgnorth Choral Society, Guitar Cubed, Bridgnorth Community Pop Choir, Got2Sing, Urban Roots, Bridgnorth Rock Choir.
Malinslee Christmas Lights Switch On – 20/11/15
Malinslee’s Christmas lights will be switched on by Telford & Wrekin Mayor Cllr Leon Murray.
The fun begins at 3pm through until 6pm on Friday 20th November.
There will be a sing-a-long with Frozen’s Elsa and Anna, Fireworks, Santa’s Grotto, Hot and Cold Drinks, Entertainment and other surprises.
Market Drayton ‘Christmas Festival of Lights Switch On’ event – 21/11/15
Market Drayton ‘Christmas Festival of Lights Switch On’ event takes place on Saturday, 21st November.
See Santa drive through town, Christmas Craft Stalls, Gifts, Festive Food & Drink, Gospel Choir and Hale Street Stompers, Mr Popple, Tonk Theatre and MDanz will provide entertainment.
The countdown to the lights switch on will take place at 5pm.
Much Wenlock Christmas Lights Switch On – 21/11/15
Much Wenlock Christmas lights switch on takes place at 5pm on Saturday 21 November.
Wellington Christmas Lights Switch On – 21/11/15
Wellington Town Council will be holding its Christmas Light switch on event on Saturday 21st November 2015.
The event will begin at 12.00 midday and entertainment will continue through out the day.
The lights will be switched on at 5pm.
Shifnal Christmas Market and Switch On Event – 27/11/15
Shifnal Christmas Market will be held on the evening of Friday 27th November and Saturday 28th November 2015.
The Switch On ceremony of the Shifnal Christmas Lights will be on Friday 27th November at 6.45pm.
Dawley Christmas Lights Switch On – 27/11/15
Great Dawley Town Council are holding their annual Christmas Lights Switch-on in Dawley High Street on Friday 27th November 2015 and this year the Town Council have invited an honoured guest to switch the lights on with the Mayor and Mayoress of Telford & Wrekin.
The festivities will start at 12noon with music in the band stand and an ice rink in the High Street that is free for people to use. The Lights will be switched on by Telford & Wrekin Mayor, Cllr Leon Murray and Miss Hannah Ross. Hannah Ross has been invited as this year’s honoured guest to switch on the Christmas Lights with the Mayor and Mayoress.
Great Dawley Town Council have invited Hannah to switch on the lights as their honoured guest in recognition of her wonderful achievement in swimming the 22 miles as part of the Captain Webb Challenge during the month of August 2015.
From 3pm onwards the festivities also include various performances by local community groups, sing-a-long with Frozen’s Elsa & Anna, arts & crafts in Dawley Christian Centre, Santa will also be arriving to meet everyone, and trade stalls. The ice rink will be open from 12noon and will be free to use.
This year’s event also includes a free Family Disco to be held from 6.00pm onwards at Dawley Town Hall.
Christmas Fair & Lights Switch On in Craven Arms – 27/11/15
Live Music, Craft Stalls, Refreshments, Decorate a Tree, Fancy Dress Competition, Tree of Light and Santa’s Grotto.
The event takes place from 6pm in The Square.
Whitchurch Christmas Lights Switch On – 28/11/15
On the switch-on day there will be an outdoor Christmas market from 10am to 6pm in Whitchurch town centre, with a variety of gifts, crafts, face painting and hot food stalls. The town will also play host to Father Christmas, as well as two local dance groups – Glo’s Cheerleaders and Maggie May’s Dance Academy – who will be entertaining visitors throughout the day.
Whitchurch’s Lantern Parade 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.
Shropshire Council is offering free parking in its Pay and Display car parks in Whitchurch for the town’s Christmas lights switch-on celebration. 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.
Visit www.whitchurchcouncil.uk for the full switch on schedule.
Newport Christmas Lights Switch On – 28/11/15
A procession on Saturday 28th, November at 6pm from the Guildhall to St Nicholas Church will start will start an evening of events in Newport.
Starting with the Christmas Lights switch on by the Christmas Card Competition winner. This will be followed by a festive sing-a-long in the church accompanied by the Salvation Army.
Nova FM will be providing Live Entertainment on The Buttercross from 4pm with live acts and games!
After the Christmas Lights ceremony will be the St Nicholas Fair, located in Lower Bar and due to end around 9pm.
Wem Christmas Festival – 4/12/15
Christmas Lights Switch on by the Mayor of Wem, Cllr John Murray.
Late night shopping stalls in St Peter & St Paul’s Church and Wem Town Hall. Buy your loved ones something special this Christmas at the Christmas craft and food fair. Featuring local products made by local people.
The event takes place between 5-9pm.
Madeley Christmas Lights Switch On – 5/12/15
On Saturday 5 December is the Madeley Town Council’s annual Christmas light switch on in Telford.
This year the square will be brought to life with an array of local market stalls full of festive fun and crafts to help fill those Christmas stockings, and not forgetting all the festive food on offer.
The event will include: Indoor and outdoor markets, Unique gifts and crafts, Santa’s Grotto, Street Entertainment, Vintage Bus Bar, Festive food and drink stalls, Children’s fairground rides
The lights will be switched on at 6pm.
Clun Christmas Lights Switch On – 5/12/15
The Clun Christmas lights events take place between 7-8pm.
Broseley Christmas Parade and Lights Event – 5/12/15
There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon and into the evening at the Birchmeadow Centre, the Victoria Hall and the Social Club.
Following the parade, the lights will be switched on at 7pm by a mystery celebrity guest.
Please note we have created this list as a guide only, should any of the events be incorrectly listed, changed or cancelled we are not to be held responsible.
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