People are invited to kick off the start of the 2022 Christmas shopping season in Southport with a special Festive Fun Day.
The fun, free event, organised bySouthport BID and The Atkinson, will take place on Saturday 19th November 2022 at the Lord Street Bandstand and the Town Hall Gardens in Southport town centre.
Festive shoppers will be able to enjoy performances from local dance schools at The Bandstand, Christmas Carols in the Town Hall Gardens and the opening day of lots of activities and events.
The Bandstand will host Express Performing Arts Academy, Central Dance Studios, BabyBallet, and local singer Kelly Bond performing Christmas songs between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
The Town Hall Gardens will see people coming together around Southport’s Christmas tree between 4pm and 5pm for traditional carols and classic hits. The event will be hosted by Claire Simmo and Sandgrounder Radio featuring performances from The Atkinson Wellbeing Choir, All Souls Dramatic Club and SONG (Southport Operatic New Generation).
The scene will look beautiful with Southport BID’s 18 metre-high, illuminated Christmas tree being installed in the Town Hall Gardens this Monday (14th November) by local company IllumiDex UK Ltd.
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said: “We would love to welcome people to come and celebrate the start of this year’s Christmas shopping season in Southport on Saturday 19th November with lots of superb festive entertainment planned to take place throughout the day.
“There will be a magical feeling in Southport town centre with performances, songs and carols at the Bandstand and in the Town Hall during the afternoon.
“Southport BID also has many more Christamas themed attractions taking place in the town during November and December, such as our Gingerbread Family Trail, and our Illustrate Illuminate Trail which will be lots of fun for families and a great way of discovering what our town has to offer.”
Last year, Southport BID made a substantial investment in providing 300,000 LED lights in the trees along both sides of the beautiful Lord Street shopping boulevard in Southport town centre which guarantees that real wow factor in the run-up to Christmas.
Southport BID Head of Operations Luke Randles said: “Families will also be able to book places for Santa’s Grotto at Wayfarers Arcade, with the first dates opening on 19th November.
“You will also be able to book places in our new Christmas Carriage Ride from 19th Novemberonwards, which will be the perfect way of taking in all the lights along Lord Street and admiring Southport’s Christmas tree shining brightly.
“Why not make a date for Christmas shopping in Southport on Saturday, 19th November; enjoy the festive entertainment on offer; catch up over a meal or a coffee; or enjoy a stay over.
“Come and make a day of it in Southport this Christmas!”
All proceeds from paid activities such as the grotto and the carriage ride will act as charitable donations and be distributed to the Southport Lions Club, Southport Lifeboat, and Queenscourt Hospice. Southport BID has again ensured that all BID-funded events are accessible to all.
More information on all of this year’s events and activities can be found atwww.southportbid.com/christmas
If you require any further information on this year’s Christmas programme, please email: info@southportbid.com