Chippenham's Christmas light switch-on plans announced

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Chippenham town centre in a couple of weeks for the annual Christmas light switch on event.

On Friday 18th November Father Christmas will make an entrance (will he abseil down the side of the Angel Hotel again?) and join in the festive fun, organised by Chippenham Town Council.

The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm by the Town Mayor Cllr David Powell, with help from Father Christmas and special guests Benjamin Reilly and Philip Bardy from Charter Primary School who won a competition to design a Christmas motif and the Mayors Christmas Card competitions.

The switch on will be broadcast live across the West Country on ITV news.

There will also be a fun fair, street entertainers and a craft fair in the Neeld Hall from 5.30pm. The high street will also be lined with Christmas stalls and a dazzling firework finale will close the evening from 8pm in Monkton Park.

The town's centre piece, the tree, has been decorated by children from Charter Primary School this year.

Emma King, tourism ,events & pr manager at Chippenham Town Council said: "This increasingly popular community event provides a magical evening for families and definitely heralds the start of the festive season in our town".

To help everyone get into the festive spirit Chippenham Town Council has produced a free Christmas in Chippenham guide, which will be available throughout the town, detailing festive activities in the run up to the big day. 

The switch on will also be the second Chippenham Alive! evening, (the council initiative to encourage late night shopping/eating and drinking) there will also be the opportunity for late night shopping. The Chippenham Museum & Heritage Centre will also be open late to show off its latest exhibition "Our Special Town.