Chippenham Connected in partnership with Chippenham Town Council is delighted to announce this year’s Christmas light switch-on event: Chippenham’s Enchanted Christmas with Scarlett Moffatt, Gogglebox star and Queen of the I’m A Celeb Jungle, on 23rd November 2019.
Following several hugely popular and successful Christmas light switch-on events, this year’s event is lining up to be the perfect start to the festive season once again. Inspired by the release of Frozen 2 the day before the event, Chippenham’s Enchanted Christmas will see elements of Elsa and Anna’s adventures mixed with other winter fairy tale themes and activities.
Kathryn Crosweller, Manager at Chippenham Connected said, “Christmas in Chippenham really starts when the lights go on, and we’re excited to be organising this event once again. It is a hugely popular feature of the annual calendar in the town, and a great opportunity for the community to come together and have some fun at the start of the festive season.”
Chippenham’s Enchanted Christmas will include a host of free activities including interactive walkabout characters, busking, carolling and local performers across the day throughout the town centre.
There will also be an Ice Throne selfie station in Borough Parade Shopping Centre – perfect for those custom-made Christmas cards, and a baby and toddler zone run by The Rise Trust at The Yelde Hall from 1pm-5pm for parents with young children to use as a base or for some time out during the day. Christmas arts, crafts and games will be on offer at Chippenham Town Hall from 1pm-5pm and there will be festive storytelling at Waterstones at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Returning again this year, Chippenham Churches Together will be hosting community carols at St. Andrew’s Church from 4pm-5pm. There will also be an extended festive market in the High Street so visitors can start their Christmas shopping early, while also picking up a glass of mulled wine to enjoy.
Chippenham’s Enchanted Christmas also sees the first day of the annual Santa’s Grotto in Emery Gate Shopping Centre, which costs £4.50 per child including a gift. The grotto will be open from 12pm-7pm and will be raising funds for Emery Gate’s chosen charity: Guide Dogs.
Leader of Chippenham Town Council, Councillor Sandie Webb said, “Without a doubt this is the most popular event of the year in Chippenham. With so many activities to take part in and a festive programme of entertainment it is a great day out in our beautiful town.”
The Christmas lights will go on in the traditional way, with main stage entertainment starting at 5.30pm in the Market Place. The main stage will be hosted by BBC Wiltshire’s Ben Prater and Marie Indge and will feature a range of local acts.
The fabulous Scarlett Moffatt will then take to the stage to welcome the crowds to the start of Christmas in Chippenham and prepare to plunge the button to turn on the lights. As the switch-on moment approaches crowds will see the much-loved abseiling Santa scaling the walls and, weather permitting, fireworks will herald that Christmas has come to Chippenham once the lights have been turned on.
The organisers are also delighted to announce that John Williams Heating Services Ltd. are sponsoring the event for the second year. Co-Founder Debbie Williams said, “Community events are an integral part of what we are about at John Williams Heating Services Ltd. We are delighted to be supporting Chippenham’s Enchanted Christmas event this year, and we hope that it is the start of a happy and enjoyable Christmas for the community.”
For full information, regular updates and to take part in competitions for the event, follow Chippenham Connected on Facebook or visit www.chippenhamconnected.com.