THOUSANDS of people are expected to flock to Malvern this weekend to mark the start of this year’s Christmas celebrations.
A day full of fun and festive activities will be held in the town centre on Saturday (November 26) with plenty to do for all the family.
The countdown to the big day actually started this week when the big Christmas tree was erected at Belle Vue Terrace.
As has been the case in previous years, the tree was kindly donated free of charge to Malvern Town Council by Nick Beard of Leigh Sinton Christmas Trees.
But Saturday will be the big day for Malvern when it hosts the Christmas Festival with all the fun starting from 10am right through to the evening.
The smell of seasonal treats from the food market on Abbey Road will fill the air and those who have not started their Christmas shopping yet will get the chance to buy unique gifts from the arts and crafts market in the Priory Church grounds and also from the local traders’ market in the grounds of Great Malvern Library.
The Library will also see the special arrival of Father Christmas from 10am and there will be a Victorian fairground ride, a bouncy castle, food and gift stalls, face-painting, children’s crafts and music.
Visitors will be able to listen to live music inside the Priory Church from 11am where there will also be family stories told throughout the day. There will also be free refreshments and children’s activities, and a carol service from 6.15pm.
BBC Hereford and Worcester will be co-ordinating entertainment on Belle Vue Island from 12noon and festive songs will fill the air including performances from Malvern Rock Choir, solo singers, Malvern St James Junior Choir and Wilfs Carnival Band to name a few.
And the main event will see the Lantern Parade makes it way up Church Street from 5.30pm and setting off the excitement for the Lights Switch On at 6pm.
This year the lights will be turned on by two of the stars from this year’s Malvern Theatres panto, Sleeping Beauty – Amy Thompson from Milkshake and Chris Pizzey from the Basil Brush Show.
Other entertainment includes the tremendously big and tall Fat Santa, and his equally lofty chum Mr Dandy Doo the Victorian Gent, as well as Children’s fairground rides, vintage cars down Church Street, and musicians throughout the town.
Malvern Cube and ARCOS will also be running events throughout the day.
Malvern’s Mayor Cynthia Palmer said: “There is an amazing atmosphere in the town which builds up to the lights being switched on at 6pm.”
More details can be found at www.christmasinmalvern.co.uk.
