Canopy boost to light up Warwick’s Christmas

The Victorian Evening and light switch-on will return on Thursday when the town will unveil its very first ceiling lights as a canopy of 32,450 bulbs is illuminated.

Town mayor, Mandy Littlejohn, who will be joined by Father Christmas to switch on the town’s lights at 7pm, said they were very excited to celebrate another series of festive events for the town centre.

And that thanks to £20,000 of investment, the new improved lights are all ready to set off Warwick’s Christmas.

She said: “I want Warwick at winter to have the same draw and attractiveness that it does in the summer and am delighted to see these new lights up to start the season.

“We have this amazing installation of illuminations that will create a star-field canopy right across Market Place and deliver a dramatic and thoroughly festive ambience.”

The 20-feet high display which will cover Market Place and The Holloway is thanks to a £10,000 grant from Warwickshire County Council and match funding from the mayor’s charities.

New lights will also add a sparkle to Church Street, Swan Street and Castle Street after being funded by donations and council grants.

They will be lit up from 5pm on Thursday when families are invited to try their hand at games, take a ride on the steam-powered carousel, enjoy a Punch and Judy show and indulge in roast chestnuts.

Visitors can also enjoy live music from Thom Kirkpatrick and the Folly Brothers, and shops and businesses will stay open late to welcome visitors.

The evening will also welcome the launch of the annual Christmas Tree Festival in St Mary’s church to begin its own festive activities.

The popular competition will once again showcase a selection of trees decorated by schools and businesses to celebrate the season.

Organiser, Alice Pethick from the church said they were delighted to be opening up to families for another year.

She said: “We want to encourage everybody to come out and support us as they always do, it is sure to be another fantastic year with some great trees designed for us.”

Vote for your favourite tree until December 6. The church will also host its school choral concert on November 27, where all are invited to hear children sing from 10.30am.

Father Christmas will be in the church on November 28, with a performance by Da Capo at 11am. The Winter Wonderland gift fair is on Saturday at The Court House, and Warwick Rocks Christmas on December 3.