Christmas season begins in Basingstoke and Andover
Both towns are holding major festive celebrations on Friday
Christmas gets underway in Basingstoke and Andover on Friday 17 November with major events in the two towns.
Andover
In Andover the town's Christmas festival takes place between 4 and 8.
With three main stages featuring a packed programme of performances, children’s activities, a Christmas market, street theatre and festive refreshments, organisers say there'll will be something for everyone to enjoy this year.
Andover High Street will be hosting the Guildhall Stage, where a line-up of local music acts will be treating everyone to a collection of Christmas songs and performances. Acts include choirs from Vigo, Anton and Pilgrim’s Cross Schools, Andover Youth Dance Company, RASPO Steel Band from Reading (back by popular demand), and the evening will be rounded off by headliner act Nokando.
Children will have the chance to visit the free face painting stand and take a spin on some fun fairground rides and the Christmas Lights will be switched on from the Guildhall at 6pm by the Mayor of Andover, Councillor Robin Hughes, with a helping hand from Father Christmas.
Those looking to start their Christmas shopping can visit the Christmas Market on Bridge Street where local businesses will be selling a variety of gifts; from original art to handmade jewellery and gin. The market will be filled classic carols as local groups, such as Andover Town Band and Ingenious Gentlemen, will perform some festive favourites from the Bridge Street stage throughout the evening.
The Christmas Grotto will also be open for the first time in the Chantry Centre this year. Father Christmas will be flying in from the North Pole to the indoor garden, next to Boswell’s, and children will have the chance to meet him and collect a special gift. Tickets cost £5 per child and can be purchased at the entrance.
Shelley Coburn, BID Manager said:
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Town Council to bring the Andover Christmas Festival to the heart of our town. This event is our biggest and hopefully best event of the year for Andover, and it's great for InAndover to play a pivotal role in making it a reality."
Full details of the event, including timings and activity locations can be found at:
www.bit.ly/AndoverChristmasFestival
Basingstoke
Festive Friday at the Top of the Town will include free children's activities, festive walkabouts, a market with local stallholders and live music between 5pm and 8pm.
On Basingstoke's London Street, children will be able to take part in Christmas crafts with Junk Jodie and have their face painted with Routine Riots.
The Skating Presents and the Christmas Elves will also be found making their way around the Top of the Town. The Skating Presents are two elegant and beautifully illuminated twinkling presents, who skilfully glide their way through the busy crowds. The elves will be checking who has been naughty and who has been nice over the past year.
Pupils from the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Basingstoke will be singing around the Christmas tree in Market Place at 5pm. The academy is a dedicated performing arts school at the Brighton Hill Community School, with classes for children and young adults.
Visitors to the town centre can also enjoy music from Basingstoke Rock Choir between 5.30pm and 6pm outside the Willis Museum to get them bopping along into the Christmas mood. Rock Choir sing upbeat songs with inspirational and powerful lyrics. From 6pm, dance the evening away with a DJ in Market Place.
Warming up for their performances in this year's Anvil Arts programme, Peter Pan and Hook will be appearing by the Christmas tree in Market Place at 6pm. The Further Adventures of Peter Pan - the Return of Captain Hook is showing at The Anvil throughout December.
Cabinet Member for Sports, Leisure and Culture Cllr Kerry Morrow said:
“Festive Friday is the perfect opportunity for families to start getting into the Christmas spirit, with something for everyone.
“Whether you want to enjoy music and theatrical performances, find a unique gift for a loved one or celebrate the start of the festive season, keep an eye on the Love Basingstoke social media channels for the latest updates.”