Featuring a whole host of local talented performers from the world of music and dance, such as MD Creatives; DJ and producer, Eric McKenna and singers from ‘The Voice’ – both shows will include headline acts, with everyone’s favourite comedy folk band, The Lancashire Hotpots, playing in St Helens – while multi-award winning Lancashire-based band, Boomin – whose talents have seen them support the likes of McFly and The Script – will entertain crowds in Earlestown.
That’s not everything. An array of Christmas-themed street entertainers will line up to greet visitors – while ice rinks, snow globes, funfair rides, arts and crafts activities and food and market stalls will really bring a winter wonderland feel to town.
With the overall aim of Christmas light switch-on events bringing everyone together to celebrate the very best of the borough, there will be appearances from the Pride of St Helens winner; local schools; cast members from St Helens Theatre Royal’s Goldilocks and the Three Bears, as well as Saints stars who will be bringing the club’s trophy haul along.
Meanwhile, St Helens Borough Council has once again teamed up with Willowbrook Hospice as part of their ‘Decorate and Donate’ project which asks residents and businesses across the borough to dress their homes and premises with lights and decorations, making a donation to the hospice if they can.
Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: “I’m delighted to see the return of our Christmas events after the past 20-months we’ve all had. To see our communities come together once again to celebrate the very best of St Helens will be an emotional moment.
“We know how much our events programme means to families in St Helens which is evident through the turn-out at our summer and autumn events – so if the reaction is anything like that, we’re certainly in for a good time.
“While visiting our town centres for these events, be sure to show your support to local businesses and remember that Covid hasn’t gone away – so it’s vitally important to do everything that’s necessary to keep yourself and others safe.”
Councillor Burns added: “I’d also like to encourage people to support the Decorate and Donate appeal. Willowbrook Hospice is such an important charity which provides end of life care to so many in our borough and surrounding areas.
“We all saw the huge lift the recent St Helens Scarecrow Festival brought to our borough, with so many households taking part, so we hope that, as a community, we can light up our borough and lift people’s spirits.”
Stephen Carroll, Corporate Business Manager at Willowbrook Hospice, said: “We’re overwhelmed by the continued support we receive from our communities during these difficult times and are forever grateful for everyone’s fundraising efforts to keep the hospice running.
“Winter is a time when many cultures celebrate with festivals of light, so we hope as many people as possible join us in lighting up St Helens.”
The St Helens town centre Christmas lights switch-on will be held in Church Square on Saturday 27 November, followed by the Earlestown switch-on the day after (Sunday 28 November). Both events will take get underway at 12:00pm with the lights switched on at 6:00pm.
Christmas lights will also be switched on in others across the borough on the dates listed below:
- Rainhill, Houghton Street – 28th November, 5:00pm
- Moss Bank, Elliott’s Field – 29th November, 3:30pm
- Moss Bank, Haresfinch Park – 30th November, 5:00pm
- Bold, Four Acre Shopping Centre – 1st December, 4:00pm
- Haydock, Haydock Library – 1st December, 6:30pm
- Windle, Victoria Park – 1st December, 4pm
- Eccleston – 2nd December, 4pm
- Eccleston Park, St Helens Road – 2nd December, 4pm
- Bold, Shining Lights Centre, Delamere Avenue – 2nd December, 4:00pm
- Bold, Field Road – 3rd December, 4:00pm
- Thatto Heath, Thatto Heath Road – 3rd December, 4:00pm
- Bleak Hill Primary School – 3rd December, 2:30pm
- Rainford, Church Road – 4th December, 4:00pm
- St Mary’s Market – 4th December
- Newton-le-Willows, St Peter’s Church – 5th December, 5:00pm
- Parr, Derbyshire Hill Road – 6th December, 4:00pm
- Billinge, Millenium Garden – 10th December, 6:00pm – 6:30pm
Public Health advice for anyone wishing to attend Is to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before, then test again two days after, and then five days afterwards. Face coverings are recommended indoors and please do not attend an event if you are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild.
To make a contribution to Decorate and Donate, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/decorateanddonate2021
For event updates and to find out what else is happening across the borough this Christmas, ‘like’ the What’s on in St Helens on Facebook page or follow @whatsonsthelens on Twitter.
For St Helens town centre parking, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/carparks
