Get switched on for great day out
Host of family activities herald start of festive season
NEWBURY’S annual Christmas lights switch-on is to be extended into a day-long festival, complete with free activities for families.
For the first time ever, visitors to the town centre will be able to enjoy a day of free themed activities alongside the usual lights viewing, kicking off from 10am on Saturday, November 20.
More than 20 activities have been announced, including wreath-making, pop-up choirs and cookie decorating.
Character actors have been enlisted for a variety of ‘meet and greets’ and the Frozen sisters will be performing songs from the hit film after the lights have been switched on, until 9pm.
Newbury Town Council will be also be offering tours of the Town Hall throughout the day.
Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) operations manager Alison Drummond said: “Our Christmas Lights
Switch-On Festival is set to be the best Newbury has ever had and is yet another event we are delivering as part of a heightened festive offering for Newbury this year.
“We are so excited to deliver this day-long event for local residents to enjoy and we encourage everyone to take full advantage of the shops and eateries across town that will be open for business ready for you to continue the festive fun in-store on the day.
“We are so thankful to all of the organisations providing their services to help create a truly special day in Newbury and would like to give a heartfelt shout-out to the businesses which are offering their venue on the day.”
A full list of events has been provided by the BID: n Family Panto Workshop at Newbury Town Hall n Santa’s Grotto at Parkway n Festive papercraft and decopatch drop-in workshops at The Globe’s garden n Family Christmas songs
workshop at Hogan Music n Christmas card printing at Camp Hopson n Alternative Christmas wreath at The Dolphin pub n Christmas tree decoration workshop at The Ugly Duckling n Christmas cupcake and cookie decorating with Colline’s Kitchen at the Waterside Centre n Christmas bath bomb painting at House of Bubbles, Kennet Shopping n Make your own Christmas cards workshop at The Works, Kennet Shopping n The Great Cider Mull Off with local cider makers at The Catherine Wheel n The Great British Beer Off competition at The Spare Wheel n Jewellery making workshop at Kreationz, Kennet Shopping n Try out high score activity machine in Market Place n Try out fitness classes at bstFitness – free entry all day for gym, sauna and swimming pool n Try out Mario Kart fastest lap competition at CEX, Kennet Shopping n Teddy Bear treasure hunt at Bas ‘n’ Books, Kennet Shopping n Christmas colouring competition at Boswell’s, Kennet Shopping n Name the cuddly puppy competition at Hallmark, Kennet Shopping n Meet the Grinch and a Frozen princess at Barry Forkin-Toomers (3pm-4.30pm)