The Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On is back!

A big turnout is expected in the town centre on Friday 26th November to see the return of the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On. With the High Street closed to traffic, the fun starts at 4pm and continues until 7pm with the big switch on at 6.30pm.

The number of attractions this year has been reduced to allow more space for people to enjoy the festivities comfortably. Congleton Town Council with the support of Congleton Community Projects is still promising an evening full of fun and Christmas cheer.

There will be a chance to meet Santa and his elves from 4pm-6pm in the pedestrian area and then again as he travels in his sleigh to the Christmas Tree with the lantern parade. A ‘real life unicorn’ will be on the High Street from 4pm, come and meet Tuli, take a photo and make a Christmas wish. Proud lantern owners will gather in Back Street car park at 5.45pm ready to leave at 6pm for the grand lantern procession to the Christmas tree.

The main stage will be hosted by Silk FM. Event entertainment includes The Can’t Sing Choir, Rode Hall Silver Band, Sambama and Andy Hofton.

Help raise funds for good causes by joining in the games and activities put on by the charities and organisations on stalls in the pedestrianised areas. Tempt your taste buds at the festive food and drink stalls manned by local town centre traders.

Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Denis Murphy said: “The big lights switch-on is always a fantastic event which is well supported by our local community. This year, because COVID rates are still high, we have removed many of the obstacles to allow as much space as possible for people wishing to come into the town to see Santa, the parade and the lights turned on.”

A spokesperson for Congleton Town Council said: “The key priority has to be to ensure everyone has a great and safe time at the event. The number of stalls and attractions has been limited to keep the space as clear as possible to leave plenty of room for people to move around safely. With the closure of B&M, it has not been possible to find an alternative town centre location to let off the fireworks  safely so that people in the town centre can see the display. We hope that Christmas 2022 will see the return of the many popular crowd pleasing activities.”

The High Street will be closed from 2.30pm to 8pm. Motorists will still be able to access Market Street to access Morrisons and the Fairground Car Park. The bus and taxi rank will operate as normal but with all routes exiting via Mountbatten Way. Vehicles on Canal Street will only be able to turn right onto Lawton Street.

There will also be a 15-minute hold up on Lawton Street from 6.05pm– 6.15pm to allow Santa and the lantern procession to travel the length of Lawton Street to arrive at the tree at 6.20pm.