Festive events announced in Swadlincote this Christmas
Following the announcement of The Snowman and The Snowdog sculpture trail in Swadlincote this Christmas, South Derbyshire District Council will stage a series of events this festive season.
The Snowman and The Snowdog sculpture trail will be in place from Saturday 20 November to Sunday 16 January.
The trail of specially-designed sculptures is brought to Swadlincote by South Derbyshire District Council in partnership with Wild in Art and Penguin Ventures, part of Penguin Random House UK and is inspired by The Snowman and The Snowdog short, animated films.
Raymond Briggs’ worldwide and much-loved hit The Snowman has been mesmerising families since its release in 1982 and was followed by its successful sequel The Snowdog in 2012.
To accompany the trail, the Council will be staging a series of free of charge events:
- Saturday 20 November: Festive greetings to The Snowman and The Snowdog – with film showings of The Snowman™ and The Snowman and The Snowdog; a giant Christmas snow globe, live entertainment, festive characters and giveaways
- Saturday 27 November: Christmas celebration – with giant snow globe, Santa’s grotto, Mary Christmas show, Letter to Santa workshops featuring a post box carved out of ice, live music and entertainment
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 December: Small Business Saturday, Christmas market and Santa’s fun walk - indoor art, craft and gift stalls at Swadlincote Town Hall; Christmas market stalls, food and refreshments, children’s activities and entertainment
- Saturday 11 December: Christmas carols and songs - festive songs performed in and around the town centre, market, ice carving, festive characters and food stalls.
A farewell event to The Snowman is also planned for Saturday 15 January.
Councillor Kevin Richards, South Derbyshire District Council’s Leader, said: “This year, we are hosting a series of events over a longer period which will encourage families to visit Swadlincote safely.
“I would encourage people to come along, enjoy the fun and support our many and varied local businesses, many of which will have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For more information visit www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/christmas
The Snowman and The Snowdog initiative and events are brought to Swadlincote by South Derbyshire District Council and Wild in Art and are supported by the Welcome Back Fund from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)/HM Government.
The Welcome Back Fund has been established to support and promote the safe and successful reopening of the public environment for local trade and tourism, including running publicity campaigns and assisting with events that will boost footfall and encourage people back into the high streets and thereby supporting local businesses.
The programme includes a series of projects, which will be part-funded up to the total value of the funding (£190,838), from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
29 October 2021