Beverley’s popular Flemingate centre is pulling out all the stops for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on.
Flemingate will officially launch the festive season in spectacular style with fireworks, a choir, Santa’s Grotto and a festive tipi bar to keep the whole family entertained on Thursday, November 23.
East Yorkshire’s triple world-champion Town Crier Michael Wood will switch on the festive illuminations at Flemingate at 7.15pm, before a stunning fireworks display lights up the sky and launches the festive season in style.
Father Christmas and his team of elves are returning for a second year in a new purpose-built grotto, which will open at the centre at 4pm to coincide with the big launch night.
Exciting new tipi bar Bartipi will also launch at Flemingate’s Christmas lights event, offering roaring log fires, mulled wine, locally brewed ales and warming hot drinks. Twinkling lights and cosy furs will make this Nordic-themed tipi bar the place to unwind after Christmas shopping.
Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre Manager, said: “We’ve got a great night lined up to celebrate Flemingate’s Christmas lights switch-on.
“East Yorkshire’s wonderful Town Crier will get the whole crowd involved in switching on the lights so it will be really good fun. We even expect a visit from Santa who will help with the switch-on!
“Our retailers are also staying open late so people can have a wander around the shops and there’ll be plenty to eat and drink at our restaurants too. It’s going to be a great evening for the whole family.”
Jo Bridgeman, Events Organiser at Flemingate, said: “We’re very excited about this year’s Flemingate Christmas lights switch-on.
“Santa’s Grotto and Bartipi are launching at 4pm to get everyone into the festive spirit before the Christmas lights switch-on, so it will be a really great atmosphere all evening. There will be face painting, late-night shopping until 8pm and performances by Beverley’s Remarkable Rock Choir. Bartipi even has a snow machine to add to the festive experience!
“There will also be a big fireworks display after the lights switch-on so we’re launching Christmas with a bang!”
Around 35 members of Beverley’s Remarkable Rock Choir will get everyone in the mood for the Christmas season by performing festive rock classics between 6.30pm and 7pm, with a second set after the fireworks.
The Flemingate switch-on will follow on from the Beverley Lions Market Cross Christmas lights launch taking place at 6.25pm in Saturday Market with CBBC’s Officially Amazing presenter Ben Shires flicking the switch.
Mr Tait, who is also a member of Beverley Town Council’s Christmas Lights committee, added: “We worked closely with the Christmas lights committee on the timings of both events. Visitors can watch the Beverley Lions switch-on in Saturday Market and then take a stroll over to Flemingate to see our lights and fireworks.
“We’re really excited about the run-up to Christmas. We have so much planned for all the family, in addition to the great range of high street and independent retailers, offering such fantastic choice for Christmas gift shopping, and our bars and restaurants who’ll all be getting into the festive spirit.”
The Flemingate Christmas Lights switch-on event will open at 4pm with the lights due to switch on at 7.15pm. Parking in the 500-space car park is £1 for three hours.
