Thousands are expected to descend on the town centre this Saturday for the Christmas lights switch-on, one of the biggest events in Altrincham’s calendar.
Among the highlights this year are the traditional lantern parade and a packed programme of music and entertainment, all taking place in the Stamford Quarter.
Captain Christmas and his Merry Band are returning to lead the lantern parade through the town, alongside children from St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School.
Assembly for the parade will be outside the Market House on Shaw’s Road from 5pm, with the lantern parade departing at 5.25pm.
The evening show will begin at approximately 5.30pm in Stamford Square, hosted by Silk 106.9’s breakfast DJ Ditchy, with special guests and entertainment for all the family, leading up to the big switch-on at 6.30pm.
There will also be a musical showcase of community talent in Stamford Square throughout the afternoon, with a variety of acts including local bands Educated Risk and The Claremonts, Cardwell’s Dance School, Trafford Music Service Jazz Collective, Broomwood Street Dance Troupe, Heyes Lane School Choir and a drill from 145 (Altrincham & Hale) Sqn Air Cadets.
At the other end of George Street, Father Christmas will be making a very special appearance as Art with a Heart (82-84 George Street) and Altrincham Rotary Club open Altrincham’s very own Santa’s Grotto, from 11am-5pm, as part of this year’s Salvation Army Toy Appeal.
There is no charge to see Santa, but visitors should bring a donation of a new (unwrapped) toy suitable for a child aged 0-18, or an item of tinned food. The Rotary are aiming to collect 2,000 gifts this year, all of which will be distributed to local families.
During the afternoon the Stamford Quarter will be running free lantern-making workshops from 12-4pm at 61 George Street (opposite Marks & Spencer), and there will also be lantern-making at Art with a Heart and a specialist lantern craft workshop for children aged 7+ at Local Creation arts centre on Central Way (£4 per child).
Altrincham’s Great British Christmas Market will also running throughout the day, with live music, a variety of hot food and unique gift ideas.
Councillor Michael Hyman, executive councillor for Economic Growth and Planning, said: “Last year’s lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on was a wonderful family event, and phenomenally successful, with over 3,000 people in the town for the occasion.
“This year the addition of the musical showcase in Stamford Square, Santa’s Grotto at Art with a Heart and the Great British Christmas Market means there is even more going on for families, and it will be a great opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate Christmas in Altrincham.”
The timings for Saturday’s entertainment is below:
12.00 The Claremonts
12.30 Educated Risk
12.55 Jack Lyons
13.20 Leo & Lashes
14.00 Cardwells Dance School
14.30 Will Connor
15.00 Trafford Music Service Jazz Collective
15.30 Air Cadets drill
15.50 All Hallows Jazzmattazz
16.10 Broomwood Street Dance Troupe
16.30 Heyes Lane School Choir
17.30 Evening show with DJ Ditchy
18.30 Lights switch-on
