ONLY a handful of north and west Wiltshire towns are left to switch on their Christmas lights displays this weekend.
On Friday evening, Corsham, Malmesbury and Royal Wootton Bassett will switch on their displays, to be followed by Melksham and Westbury on Saturday evening.
Bradford on Avon, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes, Marlborough, Trowbridge and Warminster have already switched on their displays.
Flicking the switch to turn on the Christmas lights and town decorations is a big event in many of our towns and villages.
It gives the opportunity for families to get together and enjoy the festive magic of seeing the sparkling lights come to life, lighting up the wintery night sky.
Have a look below and get in the festive spirit as Wiltshire lights up with sparkling lights, festive Christmas trees and brightly-coloured decorations!
Here’s the details:
Corsham: Friday, December 2, from 5pm. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm by the winner of the town council’s Christmas card competition to give a family-friendly start to the festivities. There will be a Christmas market, live music from Hip Route and The Shing a Lings, fun and games, and fairground rides for younger children, plus Santa’s grotto outside the Town Hall. Corsham Windband will also be playing festive tunes all evening in Martingate. Free parking all day.
Malmesbury: Friday, December 2, from 6pm-9pm, Christmas Late Night shopping, opened by actor Jason Durr, of Casualty and Heartbeat, with the town’s mayor. The lights will be switched on at 6pm at the Market Cross. Shops open late, Santa’s Grotto in Market Lane, festive fun, indoor and outdoor markets, food, crafts and more, including a fire engine and children’s rides in front of the Town Hall. Entertainment includes the Athelstan Players, the Malmesbury Morris Dancers, Community Choir, Malmesbury Concert Band and the Ukranian Choir.
Royal Wootton Bassett: Friday, December 2, between 6pm and 8.30pm. Christmas Lights & Shopping Evening. The High Street event usually attracts thousands. You can expect festive food, fairground rides and Christmas stalls, Santa's grotto and entertainment, as well as late night shopping in the local shops.
Melksham: Saturday, December 3, at 6.30pm. Organised by Melksham Town Council and the Melksham Christmas Lights group and sponsored by Light Fantastic Event & Entertainment Lighting. As well as the usual Christmas stalls, fairground rides and hot food, there will be extra stalls, even more entertainment and live music all afternoon. Santa will arrive at 1pm to open the event, which ends at 7.30pm. This year, they are using an interactive digital Christmas tree instead of a traditional fir tree.
Westbury: Saturday, December 3, 1pm-7pm. Westbury’s popular Christmas In Westbury event will take place in the Market Place and the High Street. You can expect market stalls for all your Christmas gifts, tasty food, Santa’s grotto, and the Christmas lights switch-on by the mayor and the winner of the mayor’s Christmas Card Design Competition.
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