Town lights up to herald festive season
MACCLESFIELD welcomed Christmas to town on Saturday, November 30 with the switching on of the Christmas lights.
The day began with the opening of the Christmas market, complete with mulled wine, face painting, a craft fair and food stalls.
At midday, Macclesfield Junior Brass Band played well-known carols to provide a festive start to the event.
Pete Turner, Town Clerk for Macclesfield Town Council, said: “It was great to see so many people come out for the switch on, despite the very cold weather!
“Throughout the day, almost 15,000 people came into the town centre. We couldn’t organise an event like this without all the volunteers who help with all aspects of the event including the Father Christmas parade and the grotto. Now the Christmas lights are switched on, we hope everyone who comes into town can enjoy the festive magic.”
Stage entertainment was hosted by Silk FM and featured singer local bands and singers Tainted Vinyl, Yopo and Leah Goodhind. Majestic theatre group also provided a sneak preview of their Christmas pantomime Snow White.
Victorian carol singers wandered the town centre bringing some traditional Christmas cheer with them and children were able to visit Father Christmas in his Town Hall grotto. The Naughty Christmas Tree was back for this year and as popular as ever.
Father Christmas paraded through the town centre on his sleigh before taking to the stage to switch on Macclesfield’s Christmas lights. When the lights came on, spectators were able to enjoy a firework display along with some more festive live music.
Pictures by Keith Townley and David Hull