Stepping out for lots of festive fun

THE festive season has officially kicked off in Macclesfield with Step into Christmas and a host of other events to follow.

Organised by Macclesfield Town Council, the seasonal celebration took place in and around the Market Place on Saturday.

Macclesfield Youth Brass Band kicked off festivities with carols around the tree.

Other music came from Dr Butlers Hatstand Medicine Band, The John Street Revival and Chinese Marbles, with Joel Gardner closing the event with Maria Carey’s All I Want For Christmas.

Macclesfield Community Artspace hosted Christmas crafts and there was also facepainting.

Street entertainment included magician Christopher Hickey, Chris Marley the LED juggler and the Travelling Light Circus, who had a light up moving pendulum to St Michael’s churchyard.

The Santa parade made it’s way down Chestergate and Mill Street.

Traders increased reported footfall, Louise

Bullock, owner of Loola Loves, said: “It ended up being a great day, with customers coming in consistently throughout.

“It was so wonderful to see so many happy faces, supporting small businesses.”

Mayor of Macclesfield

Chris Wilcock, who officially opened the event, said: “It was fantastic to see the town buzzing with people and the feedback has been fantastic.”

The town council launches its advent window trail on Friday, December 1, with maps available from the Visitor Information Centre. The Christmas Tree Festival at Christ Church starts on the same day and the Twilight Market be held on December 14 with free parking from 1pm.