Warming up for Christmas is the weekend when Thatcham really starts getting into the festive spirit as the town counts down to Christmas with the Christmas Lights Switch-on on Friday 3rd December at 7pm and with a range of attractions from 5pm ‘til 8pm.
On Saturday 4th December the festivities continue with a Festive Family Day from 10am ‘til 4pm. Both events take place in the Town Centre with a full programme of local choirs, musicians and dancers on our main stages and community stalls, refreshments, and other attractions to make the occasion truly festive. On Sunday there will a festive market and car boot sale at 10am at Thatcham Memorial Hall and a Santa Fun Run which leaves the Town Centre at 11am.
This year there will be guaranteed snow at Thatcham’s Christmas Lights Switch-on as 2 snow cannons create magical snowflakes. We have been told that Santa may make a guest appearance to switch-on the Lights (courtesy of The Lions Club of Newbury) alongside the Mayor of Thatcham. The on-stage programme kicks off from 5.45pm with local street dancers MF Dance followed by Read Theatre School, Thatcham Park Primary School and KATS (Kennet Amateur Theatre Society) who will be singing songs from the musical Six.
There will be a guest appearance from local musician and promoter Sion Whiley, whose new single ‘Hope Engulfs Us’ is creating waves musically as well as raising awareness for the Kindness vs Cancer charity. In the lead up to the Switch-on, St Mary’s Church Choir will be singing and getting audiences to join in some popular carols. Local band The Doolallys will be playing festive pop and rock covers for the audience to sing and dance along to.
The occasion is one celebrated by the local community and a host of community and charity stalls will be out in force offering refreshments such as roast chestnuts, hot food and drinks to keep us all warm, as well as festive gifts to stock up for Christmas Day. There is so much to offer with a treasure hunt for the little ones and a steam engine display. As we switch-on the lights everyone will have a chance to see our 30 foot sparkling Christmas Tree supported again by Oakley Green Conservatories. Do wander around and see our other decorations as well as the windows of the Town Centre retailers as you get a chance to judge the best dressed window ‘The Peoples Window’ in association with the Newbury Weekly News (www.newburytoday.co.uk). Many Town Council retailers will be staying open late and the Kingsland Centre car park will be providing free parking from 2pm thanks to West Berkshire Council.
Here is the full programme:
