Festivities are back with a bang in Wyre this year with plenty for all the whole family to enjoy.
There are light switch ons, Christmas markets, festivals and more taking place in town centres all across the borough in Poulton, Cleveleys, Thornton, Fleetwood, Garstang and Preesall.
What’s more there’s free parking every Friday and Saturday throughout December in all Wyre Council car parks meaning you have time to visit your local shops, pubs and restaurants too.
In Poulton the annual Christmas Festival has been extended to take place over two days on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 December. There will be market stalls open from 12pm to 9pm both days selling festive food and drinks. There will be live entertainment plus an appearance from Santa himself, and the annual lighting of the crib and Christmas lights will take place on the Friday.
The Cleveleys Christmas light switch on will take place on 25 November 2021 and then on Saturday 18 December there’s a full day of festivities planned. This includes fun for all the family at Cleveleys Artisan Market at St Andrew’s Church and throughout the day there will be street theatre and entertainment, cheeky elves and festive face painting. Visit the Santa truck outside Philips Jewellers and there will be carol services at 11am outside Poundland and at 12pm at St Andrew’s Church, plus a Christmas sing along at 2pm at Victoria Road.
In Thornton the light switch on event at Marsh Mill is back on Sunday 21 November from 1pm to 5pm. Marsh Mill shops and businesses will be open plus there will be family entertainment and stalls with lots to see and buy.
There will also be a ‘Big Red Button Switch-On Event’ at the shopping centre on Victoria Road on 30 November at 4pm. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Wyre, Cllr Andrea Kay and Cllr Howard Ballard will be in attendance and Santa will be arriving to say ho, ho, ho. The big red button will be pressed by school children from Thornton’s primary schools, followed by carols sung by the school choirs.
In Fleetwood there is a magical Christmas Festival Weekend planned on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November. Wyre Council in partnership with Fleetwood Town Council and the Festive Lights Committee are hosting a variety of festive celebrations across the town.
The Marine Hall and gardens will host a Festive Fayre each day from 10am filled with delicious festive food and drinks, Christmas crafts, gifts and more, it’s perfect for your Christmas shopping! There will be a festive funfair, Christmas-themed walkabout theatre acts, live singing, competitions and lots more to experience.
On the Saturday the event will close at 4pm so that families can get ready for the annual Festive Lantern Parade which starts at 5pm on 27 November, from Fisherman’s Walk/Ash Street and arriving back at Marine Hall at 6pm for the incredible Festive Lights switch on event. These events are free to enter with free parking available.
Be sure to also visit Fleetwood Market on Saturday 27 November, where you can buy lots of Christmas gifts and experience a wonderful winter wonderland with a huge interactive snow globe. Get your family and friends to come along and take a magical photo of you all inside the globe.
You’ll also be treated to some traditional Victorian Carol singers performing delightful festive hymns throughout the day as well as our very own Harmony and Health singers performing all the Christmas classics you love! Fleetwood Market is open from 9am until 4pm.
In Garstang on Tuesday 30 November “The Light Up Garstang Christmas Fair” is taking place from 6pm to 9pm at Wyrebank. There will be over 20 stalls selling unique Christmas gifts, treats, crafts and food and there will be a bar open for a festive drink while you shop.
There will also be a virtual lights switch on in Garstang on the 22 November from 6pm, live at www.facebook.com/garstanglights, plus the Santa Dash returns on 5 December at 11am! Open to people of all abilities including children, adults, people with buggies and those using mobility scooters. You don't have to run, many just walk. If you would like to take part in this please visit www.garstangsantadash.com or pop down to Sainsbury’s in Garstang on Saturday 20 November where there will be a stall you can register at. Spectators will be in for a treat too as we have street entertainment planned along with carol singers performed by Garstang Musical Productions, entertainment by DJ Darrel Edwards, and festive tunes performed by 25 piece brass band, Blackpool Brass.
Also the Visit Garstang Centre on Cherestanc Square is holding mini arts and crafts Christmas festival with live music throughout on 2, 3 and 4 December from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
In Preesall on Saturday 11 December the Mayor of Wyre and Mayor of Preesall will be judging the Christmas lights displays with an award for the best dressed shop window and one for the best domestic property. The local Christmas events committee will be welcoming Santa at 5.30pm from and there will be a sleigh tour around both Preesall and Knott End with sweet treats for the children.
Councillor Lynne Bowen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Health and Community Engagement at Wyre Council comments, “After last year’s subdued Christmas it’s so good to see all these wonderful events back up and running. We are proud to support the annual light switch ons providing funding to make our town centres sparkle, and this year thanks to the Government’s Welcome Back fund we have been able to provide further support to make Wyre’s Christmas events bigger and better than ever. We hope everyone enjoys the chance to meet up with family and friends and celebrate in style this year.
“A huge thank you goes to all the community groups and local businesses who have worked hard to put these events together. If you are visiting an event, make sure you pop into the local shops, pubs and restaurants. I hope everyone has a lovely festive time, let’s make it a Christmas to remember.”