FESTIVE visitors headed into Warrington town centre as the town officially welcomed the Christmas season with the Christmas lights switch-on.
The celebrations took place at The Skittles, Market Gate, on Saturday, November 14, with a full day of entertainment culminating in the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights at 6pm.
Organised by Warrington Business Improvement District (BID), the event attracted families and visitors for a programme of live music, performances, festive characters and activities.
Entertainment began at 11am with students from Warrington and Vale Royal College performing Christmas carols and dances.
Let me entertain you – Robbie Williams tribute – Picture John Hopkins
The afternoon programme featured performances from PopVox, The Rock Choir and local singer and guitarist Daniel Taylor.
There was also a festive twist to the entertainment, with tribute performances celebrating Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Robbie Williams, alongside appearances from The Grinch and Cindy Lou and characters from K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Younger visitors were also able to meet a host of popular characters, including Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Hulk, The Thing, Spider-Man and Spider-Gwen, while Santa Claus made an appearance alongside a Christmas elf and a Nutcracker.
The excitement built towards 6pm, when the Mayor Cllr Sagheeer Azman joined performers on stage ahead of the switch-on, officially illuminating the town centre for Christmas.
A guest appearance by Spiderman – Picture John Hopkins
The event formed the centrepiece of the three-day Warrington Unwrapped launch weekend, which began on Friday evening with an outdoor screening of the Christmas favourite Elf at Market Gate.
Christmas artisan markets also returned across the town centre, with independent traders offering handmade gifts and festive produce at locations including Old Market Place, Bridge Street, Dolmans Lane and Time Square.
Meanwhile, Winter Wonderland has opened at Time Square, bringing fairground rides and festive attractions to the town centre until Christmas Eve.
The Christmas programme is designed to encourage more people to visit Warrington town centre, support independent traders and enjoy the festive atmosphere in the run-up to Christmas.
Warrington BID project manager Andrea Morley said ahead of the celebrations: “Christmas is such an important time for our town centre businesses.”
She added that the aim was to give people more reasons to spend time in the town centre, whether Christmas shopping or meeting friends over food and drinks.
With the lights now shining, Warrington’s festive season is officially underway.
The Christmas lights are now on -PIcture John Hopkins
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