Shrewsbury Christmas light switch-on to kick off festive season
Shrewsbury is set for an evening of jam-packed entertainment for all the family from 5-7.30pm.
Around 200 participants who took part in Saturday’s lantern workshop will be taking part in the magical lantern parade, which will start at 6pm from the former Shoezone Unit in the Riverside Centre.
The procession of lanterns will then lead out onto Pride Hill, headed by the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jon Tandy and the Town Crier, Martin Wood, move along Butcher Row, Fish Street and High Street, arriving in the Square for a 6.30pm switch-on.
As well as the spectacular lantern parade, organisers have lined up a whole host of musical entertainment from school and gospel choirs, to acoustic singers and even a ukulele band and German Oompah act. There will also be dance performances in the Square and, of course, Santa in his sleigh, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Shawbury and Mid Shropshire.
Performances will take place in the Square, Pride Hill & Darwin Shopping Centres and Shrewsbury Market Hall.
Joining in the fun will be children’s character Lalaloopsy who will be making a very special appearance, courtesy of The Entertainer from 5-6pm on Pride Hill.
Some of the cast from this year’s Theatre Severn pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Eric Smith, who plays the King, and Adam Moss, who is Jangles, will be out on Pride Hill after the lantern parade, from 6.45pm.
The event will then culminate with the launch of the Tree of Light in Darwin Shopping Centre at 7pm, with entertainment continuing until 7.30pm.
The event is being sponsored by Shrewsbury Shopping Centres, The Parade and Write Here, and is supported by Shrewsbury Town Council and Theatre Severn.
FREE Parking and Park & Ride in Shrewsbury
Shropshire Council is offering shoppers in Shrewsbury free parking and Park & Ride for late night shopping in the run up to Christmas.
Each Wednesday up until Christmas, people can either travel for free on Park & Ride between 4-9pm or park for free in Frankwell Main, St. Julian’s Friars or Abbey Foregate after 4pm.
The Shrewsbury Park and Ride service operates from Harlescott, Meole Brace and Oxon sites and will run every 15 minutes until 9pm on a Wednesday evening.
