Chippenham Winter Wonderland & Lights Switch On
Chippenham Connected in partnership with Chippenham Town Council and alongside sponsors John Williams Heating Services Ltd. are delighted to reveal plans for Chippenham’s Winter Wonderland: a Christmas festival event bigger than ever before seen in Chippenham! This year’s event will take place on Saturday 24th November from 1pm to 8pm and with activities throughout the town centre from Hathaway Retail Park right the way up to Market Place.
Kathryn Crosweller of Chippenham Connected said, “This is such a popular event, and we know that lots of local residents miss out on the switch-on when it’s on a weekday because they’re held up at work. Moving the event to a Saturday not only makes it more accessible but also means we can include more free entertainment for the town to enjoy.”
Festive LED and children’s characters will bring the town to life throughout the day, as well as a chance to meet Cinderella herself in her pumpkin carriage with a free souvenir photo from 1-8pm sponsored by Borough Parade Shopping Centre.
Santa’s Grotto and the terrible Grinch will be in their home at Emery Gate Shopping Centre from 3pm-7pm along with Glitter and Glo Face Painting from 1-5pm.
Other activities will include a free Snow Globe experience at Hathaway Retail Park with free souvenir photo 1-8pm, festive market and arts and craft stalls long the High Street and Market Place from 10am-8pm and paper wreath making workshops inside the Neeld Hall foyer 1-5pm.
To take a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy event, children (and parents!) are invited to come along to a storytelling session at Waterstones at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm and there will be community carols held at St. Andrew’s Church from 4pm to 5pm.
The main stage in the Market Place will go live from 5.30pm with a jam-packed programme of local acts hosted this year by Ben Prater of BBC Wiltshire who said, ““I just can’t wait to get my hands on that mighty plunger and make Chippenham look even prettier than it is already! My dad’s an electrician so hopefully when I flick the big switch the lights won’t go off in Pewsham.”
A mixture of performances will draw the crowds, leading to the classic Chippenham abseiling Santa before the Christmas light switch on moment where Lifford Shillingford will officially turn on Chippenham’s Christmas lights followed by a firework display supported by Emery Gate Shopping Centre (weather permitting). Lifford was a golden buzzer star of Britain’s Got Talent 2018 and will light up the town not only with the Christmas lights but also with his beautiful, soulful voice.
Cllr Sandie Webb, Leader of Chippenham Town Council said, “We are so pleased to be working in partnership with Chippenham Connected to deliver this popular event. There will be a brilliant programme of activities for all ages to take part in and get into the festive seasonal spirit.”
Once the lights are twinkling we encourage visitors to start the festive season in style by indulging in some mulled wine and roast chestnuts whilst browsing the stalls. There will be some exciting competitions running for the weekend and beyond, with more details to be released soon. We are also looking forward to working with local schools for a Christmas jumper competition.
Design a Christmas Jumper Competition
We are running a competition to challenge Chippenham's children to design the best Christmas jumper they can! If your child would like to take part please click here to download the template and return it to us by email to info@chippenhambid.co.uk or in the post to Chippenham BID, 44-45 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HU by midnight on Monday 5th November. Please make sure you include your contact details so we can let the winner know that they've won!
The winner will be chosen by the Mayor of Chippenham and title sponsors John Williams Heating Services Ltd., and will be given a VIP pass to the event activity on Saturday 24th November!
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