Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Christmas lights switch-on set to be a cracker

Music, dance and festive fun are lined up to make Shrewsbury's Christmas lights switch-on a sparkling success.

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The full programme for the Christmas Cracker event to launch the town's festive season has been announced, with a bumper turnout expected to enjoy the celebrations.

The festivities get under way from 4.30pm on Wednesday, when Father Christmas arrives in his sleigh at Pride Hill. Music groups, soloists, choirs and dancers will entertain at various venues, while Jack the Jester will bring his brand of fun to High Street between 5.45pm and 6.15pm and 6.45pm and 7.15pm.

The voices of Rock Choir will sing out in The Square from 5.45pm until 6.15pm when the traditional lantern parade sets off from Darwin Shopping Centre to make its way to The Square for the official lights countdown. The mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Ioan Jones, will choose the winner of the best lantern to join him to switch on the lights at 6.30pm.

The celebrations continue when Cannock Pipe strike up the music in The Square from 6.45pm to 7.15pm.

Music in a more reflective atmosphere will be provided by Stiperstones Band in St Mary's Church between 6pm and 6.30pm and St Chad's Choir at St Alkmund's Church from 6.30pm and 7pm.

Darwin Centre has invited the band Bluzone and the choir Of One Accord to entertain shoppers. Pride Hill Centre hosts ladies choir Halfway House from 5.30pm to 6pm followed by Roam Dance School at 6pm to 6.30pm.

To encourage festive shoppers, there will be free parking after 4pm on every Wednesday up until Christmas at Abbey Foregate, Frankwell Main and St Julian's Friars.

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