Shrewsbury’s festive season is set to start with a bang as the town’s Christmas Cracker event returns, bigger and better than ever.
The big lights switch-on is being organised by Shrewsbury Town Council, in partnership with Shrewsbury Shopping Centres, and is sponsored by Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID).
The fun begins on November 15, from 5pm, when bands, choirs and acoustic acts from around the region are set to fill the town with a variety of seasonal music and entertainment to mark the start of late night shopping and the launch of the brand new Christmas lights display.
Switching on the lights this year will be Vicky McCabe, starring as Snow White in Theatre Severn’s pantomime, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie.
The ever-popular lantern parade will set off from the Darwin Shopping Centre at the earlier time of 5.50pm, leading into the Square before that all-important official countdown at 6.30pm.
Entertainment will then continue in various locations around town until 7.30pm.
And to add to the fun on the night, Santa and his sleigh will also be in the Square all evening, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Shawbury & Mid-Shropshire.
For those wanting to take part in the lantern parade, a free lantern workshop is being held on November 11, from 11.30am until 3.30pm, in the former British Heart Foundation Unit in the Darwin Shopping Centre. Participants will then be invited back to take part in the parade as part of the Christmas Cracker celebrations on November 15, although please be aware that there will be restrictions on numbers joining the parade and pushchairs will be not be permitted due to Health & Safety concerns.
Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie said: “I am excited about the programme of events that has been scheduled to celebrate the launch of the town’s new Christmas lights, with free family entertainment, and the all-important start of late night shopping in the run-up to Christmas. I would love to see as many people join me for what promises to be a fun-filled evening in Shrewsbury”.
For further information visit www.shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk or www.originalshrewsbury.co.uk
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