Calne is gearing up for its annual Christmas Festival of Lights this Saturday, 29th November, with a packed afternoon of stalls, entertainment and the much-loved lantern procession set to draw people into the town centre.
The event begins at 1pm and will spread across Old Market Place, Phelps Parade, the High Street, The Strand, Bank Row, Cox Hill and the Town Hall.
Families will find plenty to explore throughout the afternoon. Santa’s Grotto will be open in the Town Hall Council Chamber from 1pm to 3pm, the Nativity Petting Farm will be based by the Bandstand from 1pm to 4pm, and a Christmas craft market will run inside the Town Hall until 5pm.
St Mary’s Church will be hosting its Christmas Tree Festival from midday until 6pm, and Phelps Parade will be home to the Love Calne Market until 5pm.
Visitors can expect a lively programme of entertainment. The main stage will feature music and commentary from Chippenham Hospital Radio, while the Chippenham and Calne Good Afternoon Choir will perform from 4.30pm until 5pm. The Snow Lion will be roaming through the town centre throughout the afternoon, joined later by the Candy Cane Stilt Walkers in The Strand from 4pm to 5.30pm.
Former professional footballer Matt Le Tissier will also be in town, supporting local charity collections and signing copies of his book at Costa in Phelps Parade.
Jennings Fun Fair will once again be set up in the Lower Pippin car park and the popular lantern parade will leave Oxford Road at 4.30pm, due to arrive in the town centre about half an hour later. The Christmas lights are expected to be switched on at around 5.20pm once the parade has returned.
Matt Le Tissier will join art competition winners Cecelia and Allulah for the switch-on. The festival will end with the traditional firework display shortly after the lights come on. Stalls, children’s activities and performances will continue until 6pm.
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