Swadlincote gears up for Christmas lights event
Christmas comes to Swadlincote with the town set to host a new illuminated experience – ‘The Lights Before Christmas’ presented by South Derbyshire District Council.
This Saturday, 26 November, will see crowds gather in Swadlincote town centre.
The action gets underway at 4pm with illuminated street performers throughout the evening.
An enchanted living snow globe with a mystical Snow Queen will roam the town centre, while Jacks of Frost, the shivering siblings on stilts are like massive icicles walking through the streets talking to passers-by and making a joke or two
Light fairy creatures with giant twinkling wings will glide through the streets alongside vintage skaters and LED performers creating beautiful, visual spectacles.
There will even be giant living lamp posts standing at over ten feet tall with a marvellous moving display of ornate light and colour.
At 5.30pm, special guests Callum Worker and two of his Miles for Smiles colleagues will be assisting the Council’s Chair to switch on the lights.
Councillor Paul Dunn, Chair of South Derbyshire District Council, said “It is wonderful to have the opportunity to welcome people of all ages to Swadlincote town centre for our Christmas lights switch on event”.
The evening will include fairground rides, the Rolls Royce Band performing Christmas carols on the Delph, and the Rotary Club of Swadlincote with Santa and his sleigh.
This is part of a day of family fun activities with other events taking place including a Christmas crafts and gift market at Sharpe’s Pottery from 10am - 8pm.
The Dance and Music Centre will be open from 4pm o 8pm with Christmas stalls, cake stall, refreshments, gifts, games and live entertainment, and there will be a free special Advent Calendar Craft session 10am to noon at Swadlincote Library.
The event on 26 November marks the start of Santa’s Passport Trail, which will run until 17 December 2022.
Santa has visited Swadlincote town centre to look for Christmas presents. Visitors are invited to try and find all the places he visited following the trail map. Free trail maps can be collected from the Visitor Information Centre at 1 High Street.
Completed trail maps will receive a small gift and the chance to enter Santa’s Big Prize Draw to win a Nintendo Switch, Christmas hampers and vouchers from around the town, including Swadlincote’s Snowsports Centre, Curly Magpie and Friends and Birds the Bakery.
The Lights Before Christmas is the first of a series of free entry events in the town centre leading up to Christmas with lots of free entertainment, including a Festive Fun Day on 3 December and a Festive Market on 10 December. Find out more at www.visitsouthderbyshire.co.uk/christmas
24 November 2022