The beginning of the festive season in Grimsby will be marked with a ‘Fabulously Festive Weekender’, taking place from Friday 25 – Sunday 27 November in the town.
This three day programme will see St James’ Square and Grimsby Minster host seasonal craft, gift and food stalls, alongside the awe-inspiring Gaia (Earth) exhibition.
There will be colourful and lively entertainment throughout the weekend, including stilt walkers, performance acts and live music, as well as further festive fun at Top Town Market and in Freshney Place.
Friday 25 will see market stalls hosted from 10am right through until 8pm, with a community Christmas tree lighting event taking place at 6.30pm in the square.
During the tree lighting event, there will be performances from All for One Choir, East Coast Elite band and a blessing from the Minster’s Vicar, Father Chris Hewitt.
On Saturday 26 indoor and outdoor festive stalls will be open between 10am and 4pm, with entertainment throughout the day, including live music from the ‘Fabulously Festive’ stage.
Fab performers will include ‘Toy-box Christmas’ stilt-walkers, cheeky elves and a ‘Man in a Christmas present’, plus there will be the chance to say hello to a little, life-like, baby reindeer.
Inside the Minster alongside the Earth exhibition, the project’s sponsor MyEnergi will be hosting story-telling for children, with readings from ‘Sparki & The Journey to Earth’.
Also on Saturday, Grimsby Top Town Market will be bringing shoppers and children further festive cheer by hosting seasonal story-telling, crafts, live music and walkabout acts.
In Freshney Place Shopping Centre, children can meet the mischievous ‘Grinch’ character as he causes mayhem. Then, as Santa and his Elves are in Grimsby, why not pop over to the Elf Station, pose for a family photo and get creative with festive arts and crafts.
On Sunday, the weekend’s festivities conclude with tasty food and drink stalls in St James Square from 11am-4pm, with music from The Cleethorpes Band.
Freshney Place will be hosting Marty Clarke who will be singing Christmas classics. In the evening Grimsby Minster will be holding its annual Advent Service, at 7pm.
This year’s town centre Christmas event has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is organised by The Culture House on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council.
Cllr Tom Furneaux, NELC cabinet member for culture and tourism, said: “It’s lovely to see what’s being planned for people to come together and support each other. This event always feels like a good start to the Christmas period! Please do come into the town centre to support your local businesses too.”
