The magical Lantern Parade will return to Altrincham town centre this Saturday, December 9th.
The event has proved a huge success in previous years, attracting numerous visitors as the giant puppets and other local groups make their way around the town.
This year's event will get underway from midday, when local school and community choirs take to the stage in the Stamford Quarter.
The stage will be hosted by Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris from Happy Radio.
The performances will kick off with the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse Show Choir and finish with a rousing festive finale with The Music Place when the parade arrives at Stamford Square at 5.45pm.
Choirs taking part during the day include St Vincent’s, Stamford Park, Broadheath and Altrincham CofE Primary Schools, St Ambrose and Bowdon Prep Schools, Wellington School, Cardwell Singers, Pictor Academy and Aura Music Academy’s Little Singers.
When does the Lantern Parade start?
The parade itself will start at 5pm from Goose Green and will include large lantern puppets alongside those made by local school children in lantern workshops.
The schools taking part this year are Altrincham CofE Primary, Stamford Park School, Cloverlea Primary School and Oldfield Brow Primary School.
The parade will also feature dancers from Cardwell Theatre School, members of Altrincham Football Club women’s team, cast members from the Altrincham Garrick’s Sleeping Beauty and Planet Ice’s Wizard of Oz.
Santa himself will make a special appearance accompanied by members of the Rotary Club of Altrincham. This year he will be riding in a cargo-bike sleigh provided by Manchester Bikes and helping Altrincham BID to promote the CargoCycle Altrincham project!
What route will the Lantern Parade take?
The parade route takes in Moss Lane, Stamford New Road, Regent Road, Market Street and Shaw’s Road, all of which provide excellent vantage points.
The restaurants, bars and cafes along the route will all be serving refreshments, and some are staying open late. For those participating in the parade, the Goose Green businesses will be serving hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies.
Il Cappero is offering a 50% discount on children’s meals on the day and their terrace is a great spot to watch the parade leave Goose Green.
Rolling road closures will be in place, and if possible, motorists should avoid the parade route between 5pm and 6pm.
Frequent bus, tram and train services operate to and from Altrincham Interchange and the Stamford Quarter will also be offering all day parking for 50p.
Mandy White, Altrincham’s BID Manager, said: “Altrincham’s Lantern Parade is a magical annual event. We would encourage people to come into Altrincham, enjoy the day's performances, watch the parade and support the town's businesses throughout the Christmas season.”
This annual community event is organised by Altrincham BID, who produce VisitAltrincham.com, and funded by the businesses in Altrincham with additional sponsorship from The Stamford Quarter.
