THE annual Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival – the glittering highlight of Middlesbrough’s festive calendar – is set to thrill the crowds later this month (November 29).
And there was a taste of things to come in Centre Square this week as preparations gather pace for the colourful parade which will once again be followed by the town’s Christmas Lights Switch On.
The Cleveland Centre is sponsoring the Main Stage programme.
The ever-popular Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival sets off at 3pm, with hundreds of local schoolchildren in creative costumes parading through the streets bringing Santa’s Workshop to life.
The dazzling display includes new parade elements commissioned especially for the parade and the unmissable excitement of Santa on his sleigh pulled by the beautiful Cairngorm Reindeer.
On Santa’s sleigh will be two special elves who have won a Santa’s Workshop colouring competition prize to ride in the sleigh on the day. The winners will also enjoy a family ticket to The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at Middlesbrough Town Hall right before Christmas.
The procession will set out from Middlesbrough Town Hall, travel down Corporation Road, through Cleveland Centre, right onto Grange Road, right onto Linthorpe Road, left down Gilkes Street, around Captain Cook Square and through the bus station, before travelling down Newport Road, through the Dundas Shopping Centre and ending at the Town Hall.
The parade will be followed by the traditional Christmas Lights Switch On in Centre Square, with entertainment from 4pm from hosts Heart North East Radio for a fun-filled evening promising plenty of family entertainment.
This year’s event is expected to attract up to 10,000 people and will see Heart North East Breakfast Show presenters Justin and Kelly joined on stage by rising local band Cattle & Cane. This is due to be their final performance in the North East this year.
The hosts have a series of festive activities planned including audience sing-alongs as well as the chance for one lucky audience member to win their £500 Christmas wish list live on stage.
The day will be topped off just after 5pm when the switch is flicked to illuminate the heart of Middlesbrough for the festive season.
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Christmas is a special time of year, and families always know they’re guaranteed a feast of entertainment in the town centre.
“We’ve pulled out all the stops with our partners to put on a terrific programme of festive fun that we know will appeal to young and old alike.”
Cleveland Centre Operations Manager Graeme Skillen said: “We are delighted to partner Middlesbrough Council for its Christmas programme for the second year running.
“The Centre Square Lights Switch On and Reindeer Parade are always a great community event, officially kick-starting Christmas in the Boro and we’re delighted be involved.”
Heart North East Breakfast Show presenter Justin Lockwood said: “I love Christmas, and there’s going to be no better feeling than pressing the switch to illuminate festive Middlesbrough, sharing in the feel-good spirit.
“That’s why I’m so excited and delighted to be joining Kelly and hopefully all of you at this year’s Middlesbrough Christmas Lights Switch On.
“Centre Square is such a great location for magical events, so I already know it’s going to be a fantastic day.
“We have some great entertainment planned, and our Heart Angels will be with us all evening too, giving someone in the audience the chance to win a £500 Christmas Wish List.”
Helen Hammill of Cattle & Cane added: “Christmas is our favourite time of the year and we are so excited to be playing to a home town crowd after being away on the road for the past few weeks.
“With our debut album being called ‘Home’ and having a lot of songs about childhood and growing up, it’ll be so nice to play this family friendly event.”
A Middlesbrough Christmas 2015 pull-out will be available in the next issue of lovemiddlesbrough Magazine due for distribution this month. Brochures featuring some of the Christmas events are also available from the Middlesbrough Tourist Information Centre or visit lovemiddlesbrough.com/christmas
Full details and a map of the parade route, support for families with special needs and details of free parking offers are also available at the address above.
Road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place so the public are advised to allow plenty of time to get into town.