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Chester’s Christmas lights
switch-on 2016: Everything
you need to know
Annual spectacular includes the
return of last year’s popular Twelvedays
of Christmas themed parade, a
sparkling Christmas star, fireworks and
appearances from Father Christmas!
The magic of Christmas is heading to
Chester as the city gears itself up for
another spectacular Christmas lights
switch-on and festive parade in just a
few weeks time.
The date for this year’s events will
be Thursday November 17 at 7pm,
coinciding with the start of late night
Christmas shopping in the city centre.
Organised by Cheshire West and
Chester Council in partnership with
CH1ChesterBID, last year’s acclaimed
‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ themed
parade makes a welcome return.
Featuring a range of community groups
and local artists, the parade starts from
Princess Street before heading past the
Town Hall towards St Werburgh Street,
Chester Cathedral and down to Eastgate
Street, Bridge Street and around the city
centre.
Chester Brass Band will lead the parade,
performing a selection of festive
favourites and Chester’s Christmas
elves ChELFie and ELFie will be on-hand
to help children spot Santa’s sleigh
hiding on city rooftops throughout the
event. The elves will also be handing out
free holographic glasses that transform
Chester’s Christmas lights into images
of stars, elves, Santa and a Christmas
surprise.
As part of the festive celebrations, a
giant sparkling Christmas star known as
the “CheSTAR” will be lit up for the very
first time during the parade. The 25ft
star will stand proudly in the grounds of
Chester Cathedral on St Werburgh Street
and will feature almost 19,000 twinkling
lights.
Cllr Louise Gittins, cabinet member for
communities and wellbeing at Cheshire
West and Chester Council, said: “Chester
city centre is a delightful setting to
celebrate Christmas and we’re really
looking forward to this year’s Christmas
lights switch-on event. It’s always great
to see residents and visitors come
together to kick start the festive season
59
and this year promises to be another
wonderful Christmas in Chester.”
Julie Charlton, Marketing Manager at
CH1ChesterBID, added: “We want to
make Christmas a truly memorable
experience for local residents and city
visitors and we’ve worked hard to
make sure there really is something for
everyone at this year’s Christmas light
switch on event.
“The ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ parade
will be a fantastic spectacle and we
really hope that people of all ages come
along to celebrate the start of the festive
season in the city centre. With late night
shopping also starting on the same
night, it’s the perfect opportunity for
people to start their Christmas shopping,
have some fun and really get into the
Christmas spirit.”
For more information about all the
events and activities taking place this
Christmas, people can visit www.
experiencechester.co.uk or follow @
chELFie_CH1 on Twitter.