Kingston prepares for Christmas lights switch on
12:10pm Saturday 12th November 2011 in News
Festive fun at the 2010 Christmas lights switch on
A lion will replace Rudolph the red nosed reindeer at Father Christmas’s side when he switches on Kingston’s Christmas lights next week.
Chelsea FC’s mascot Stamford the Lion will join Santa and the mayor at the big switch on at 6pm on Thursday, November 17.
The day’s fun will kick off with Radio Jackie hosting an afternoon of festive fun in Clarence Street from 3pm onwards.
Eden Walk shopping centre will host music from the Kingston Youth Big Band and Articulate, entertainment from Molly and Myrtle, and free face painting for children.
Memorial Gardens will be transformed into a kid’s kingdom, including a live nativity farm and a mobile-making craft workshop, while adults can enjoy music from Borough Brass and a penalty shoot out challenge from Chelsea FC.
Superheroes will be on call to meet young fans and have their photographs taken together in the Bentall Centre, where a scene from Happy Feet 2 will also be held with the centre’s bears ahead of the film’s launch this month.
Young carol singers from Maple Infants, Hampton Infants, Tolworth Junior, St Andrew’s and St Mark’s and Grand Avenue primary school will sing carols from 3.30pm in the Ancient Market Place, in addition to the traditional Christmas market.
Devotees of traditional Christmas songs will also enjoy a short carol service at All Saints church at 5pm, while the annual Eden Craft and Gift Fair will open its doors in a marquee on the church lawns.
And roving entertainers including the twinkling Christmas tree, two huge candy cane stilt walkers and Betty Twinkle the robin red breast, will weave their way through the Christmas crowds.
Kingstonfirst chief executive Ros Morgan said: “Kingstonfirst is delighted to once again be hosting Kingston’s Christmas lights switch on and we hope the afternoon of fun and entertainment will get everyone in the festive spirit.
“With more than 500 retailers plus two visiting markets, park and ride and late-night shopping, Kingston is the place to do all of your shopping this Christmas.”
See kingstonfirst.co.uk/christmas for more information.
mikenm says...
11:02pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Rudolph replaced by that? Could at least have been a Pensioner, far more appropriate.
Kingston town centre is becoming more and more a place to avoid.