Shrewsbury Christmas event promises to be a cracker
Shrewsbury’s festive season will start with a bang as the town’s Christmas Cracker returns, bigger and better than ever before.
The big switch-on takes place on November 15 when the town's new lights will be unveiled for the first time.
Organised by Shrewsbury Town Council, in partnership with Shrewsbury Shopping Centres, and sponsored by Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID) the event is sure to draw the crowds.
The fun begins from 5pm, when bands, choirs and acoustic acts from around the region fill the town with a variety of seasonal music and entertainment to mark the start of late night shopping and the launch of the brand new Christmas lights display.
Switching on the lights this year will be Vicky McCabe, who will be taking time out of rehearsals for Theatre Severn’s pantomime, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs where she takes the title role, and the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie.
A lantern parade will set off from the Darwin Shopping Centre at 5.50pm, leading into the Square before that all-important official countdown at 6.30pm.
The entertainment will then continue in various locations around town until 7.30pm.
And to bring a festive feel to the night, Santa and his sleigh will also be in the Square all evening, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Shawbury & Mid Shropshire.
For those wanting to take part in the lantern parade, a free lantern workshop is being held on November 11, from 11.30am until 3.30pm, in the former British Heart Foundation Unit in the Darwin Shopping Centre.
Participants will then be invited back to take part in the parade. However, there will be restrictions on numbers joining the parade and pushchairs will be not be permitted due to Health & Safety concerns.
Councillor Mackenzie said: “I am excited about the programme of events that has been scheduled to celebrate the launch of the town’s new Christmas lights, with free family entertainment, and the all-important start of late night shopping in the run-up to Christmas.
"I would love to see as many people join me for what promises to be a fun-filled evening in Shrewsbury."
