NI's Christmas Radio Station - Downtown Christmas returns!

Published 28th Nov 2023

Downtown Radio, in partnership with Ballymena BID, will be ‘pressing play’ on the ultimate ‘sleighlist’ – changing its entire format to an ‘all Christmas music station’ from 9am this Friday 1st December until Boxing Day.

We are going to throw out our usual playlist for an entire month to help shine a light on rising child poverty levels across Northern Ireland.

From Wham to Cliff and Shakin’ Stephens to the Pogues, Station bosses hope the dramatic change of playlist will spread Christmas cheer across the airwaves and ultimately tap into the generosity of the Northern Ireland public.

Downtown ‘s Content Director Stuart Robinson said “We are delighted to bring Downtown Christmas back for a fifth year due to unprecedented demand.

"Every year Northern Ireland radio listeners know they can tune into Downtown in December for Christmas cheer and great craic leading up to the big day."

As Downtown’s music format changes to all Christmas music, our busy Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ elf’s will be hard at work in a huge Belfast warehouse taking delivery of thousands of gifted toys from our listeners.

Already the on air appeal has been inundated with pleas for support from local charities, social workers, teachers and other front-line services to support the families they work with.

With 1 in 4 children now living in poverty in Northern Ireland’s - Downtown’s Mission Christmas appeal is needed this year more than ever and the public are being asked to support in anyway they can.

Downtown’s Cash for Kids Clare McGimpsey explains; “Every single donation makes a difference, and we are urging people to dig deep and donate what they can.

"Downtown switch to all Christmas music will certainly keep our busy team dancing and motivated around the toy warehouse, so we hope the Christmas cheer from the music will be contagious and listeners will get involved throughout December."

If you'd like to donate to Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, visit downtown.co.uk/mission

So no matter if you are decorating the tree, Christmas shopping, driving home for Christmas or just sat in the office counting down the days until you can put on your out-of-office, Downtown Christmas will be providing the perfect festive soundtrack to Northern Ireland’s Christmas festivities.

Downtown Breakfast's Gary and Glen will kick off the festive cheer this Friday 1st December from 9am - alongside the Downtown team with a special surprise they've been working on building up to the launch.

How to listen to Downtown Christmas:

📱 Download the FREE Downtown App and take us on the go

🔊 Ask your smart speaker to ‘play Downtown Radio’

🖥 Online via downtown.co.uk

📻 On your radio, DAB and FM - and remember you can listen on 103.4FM in the Belfast area

Ps. If you're not quite ready to for Christmas just yet, why not listen to one of other local stations - Cool FM, Downtown Country or Greatest Hits Radio Northern Ireland

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

Listen to Greatest Hits Radio on the free Rayo app, online or on your DAB digital radio. You can also listen on your smart speaker by saying “Play Greatest Hits Radio”.