Full details have been revealed ahead of Grantham’s Christmas Fayre and Festive Lights Switch-On on Sunday 3rd December 2023.
A craft market and charity stalls will run between 11am and 5pm, boosted by live music and entertainment and the chance to enjoy festive food and drink.
Alongside yuletide activities, a children’s fair and vintage rides will immerse the whole family into the Christmas spirit.
The free event takes place in the Market Place and Westgate, with the lights switch on ceremony due to illuminate the town at 4.30pm. SK Community Awards Lifetime Community Champion of 2023, Karen Thompson will switch the lights on.
Karen has been supporting disabled children and adults since setting up Kesteven Rideability in 1988. Hundreds of disabled people have benefited from physical therapy, reduced stress, improved well-being, confidence and self-esteem through contact with horses and ponies.
Cllr Paul Stokes, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “We are delighted to be hosting such an exciting line-up for this year’s festivities.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to enjoy some of the fantastic live-entertainment and stock up on some Christmas goodies from the many local businesses that Grantham has to offer.
“We will also showcase our enhanced and improved Christmas light display for 2023, following significant investment by the Council. We hope that everyone will welcome the seasonal illuminations and decorations.”
Grantham School of Dancing will open the event at 11am, followed by performances from the cast of the Guildhall Arts Centre 2023 pantomime, Aladdin.
Charlie Church, Rock Choir, Nataly Arbon, Hayes Theatre, Relight My Choir and Ultra 90s will provide entertainment throughout the day, as well as winter princesses and elf antics performances.
An adventure awaits with wooden versions of Santa’s reindeer, created by Simon Kieffer and volunteers from Outwood CIC, hidden in participating venues across Grantham’s town centre as part of the Rogue Reindeer Trail. The reindeer have been decorated by nine local primary schools.
The Rogue Reindeer trail is free to take part in with trail sheets and clues available from the HelloSK stall in the marketplace between 11am and 4pm.
For those who manage to find all nine reindeer, head back to the stall for a chance at winning a family ticket to the Guildhall Arts Centre and Polka Dot Pantomimes’ production of Aladdin.
Cllr Stokes said: “It has been our pleasure to bring together local schools as they showcase their creativity in decorating the reindeer.”
Grantham’s regular businesses will trade alongside the glittering specialist stalls for stocking fillers and gifts, as well as traditional wintry refreshment.
The craft market and charity stalls will offer cards, crocheted creations, jewellery, clothing, candles, infused gin & festive treats – and much more.
The magic of Christmas is set to come alive with a range of children’s activities on offer, including free face painting, balloon modelling and festive crafts – including the chance to Decorate A Gonk with Outwood CIC.
Visit the enchanting Santa’s Grotto and Snow Globe for an immersive winter experience. The magic doesn’t stop there as Santa and his little helpers will fly through the Market Place on his sleigh at 3.15pm, provided by Grantham Lions Club CIO.
For those eager to unleash their creativity, All Day Play presents an exciting lineup of creative craft workshops aboard their brand-new play bus. From festive art to sensory activities and even the ever-popular Christmas slime making, there’s no shortage of merry moments for the little ones.
Grantham Rotary & Grantham Twinning Association will also be in attendance on the day, raising funds for Inner Wheel & Rotary Charities. Their stall will be supported by performances from Dunne & Rusted and members of the Premier Cru.
The event is being supported by Lincolnshire Fire Aid, who will be bringing their collection of vintage fire engines to explore.
Road closures will be in place from 6am to 9pm on Sunday 3rd December. The following roads will be affected:
- Market Place
- Conduit Lane (part of – junction of Greyfriars)
- Narrow Westgate
- Wide Westgate
- Guildhall Street (part of – junction of Greenwood’s Row)
- Welby Street
Other festive fun on Sunday 3rd December includes the Garden Yard’s Christmas Market between 10am and 3pm, St Wulfram’s Church Christmas Tree Festival and Guildhall Arts Centre pantomime at 1pm & 5pm.
