Everything you need to know about Christmas festivities in Newport this year
The countdown to Newport’s most festive event has begun, as the council’s lighting team begin the annual task of dressing the High Street for the festive season.
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Newport's Christmas Light Swich-On takes place on Friday, November 22, and the team will be working hard to get the decorations up and festoon the town with the thousands of twinkly lights that will illuminate the High Street throughout the festive period.
Decorating the High Street takes place over several weeks, with works conducted of hours and on weekends to minimise disruption.
The final fixings will take place once the two 24-foot Christmas trees - the Tree of Light on St. Nicholas Church lawn and the Christmas tree at the top of Wellington Road, are installed the week of the switch-on.
The lights will be turned on at the Newport Christmas Light switch-on at approximately 6pm on the town square.
As with previous years, the High Street will be closed from 3pm to 9pm and live entertainment will take place on the town square stage from 5pm to 8pm.
The traditional Christmas Parade will be leaving the Guildhall at 5.50pm led by the Newport Salvation Army. New this year is the lantern parade with Brownies, Rainbows, Guides, Cubs and Scouts and Newport Youth Club, followed by the Christmas Card Competition Winner in the Reindeer drawn sleigh. Santa and the mayor, Councillor Ian Perry will follow in the Rotary Lite Sleigh.
Following the switch-on, Santa will return to his sleigh opposite to St. Nicholas Church and families will be able to visit him and his reindeer, who will be on the Buttercross.
Other activities include the living nativity on St. Mary’s Street, Fun Fair on Lower Bar, Christmas Carol Service in St. Nicholas Church, craft market and Christmas jumper swap in the library, and free craft in The Hub.
After last year’s success, the event will see many shops, businesses and the Newport Indoor Market staying open for some festive late-night shopping and offering their own specials and festive deals for the occasion.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On kicks off the festive season in Newport, which sees some long-held traditions return and the introduction of something new.
Newport Shropshire Carnival committee are hosting a Christmas Market on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 will see the launch of Newport’s first ever Christmas window advent trail.
The Newport Christmas Light switch-on is a free community event, sponsored this year by Henshall’s Insurance Brokers.
