A FESTIVE feast of seasonal fun is in store for visitors to Middlesbrough town centre in the run-up to Christmas.
The town’s Christmas brochure – packed with events taking place throughout November and December – is available from this week.
Highlights include the Christmas Lights Switch On and Middlesbrough College Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival, Christmas markets and festive performances.
That’s not to mention Small Business Saturday, screenings of Disney’s Frozen on the Centre Square Big Screen, Santa’s Grottos, Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and even a disco for groovy babies.
On top of that there is a huge array of music, comedy and theatre events taking place and great value offers for food and parking.
Key dates:
- November 29-30; December 5-7, 13-14, 20
Christmas Fairground, Centre Square
- Sunday, November 30, from 3pm
Christmas Lights Switch On following the Middlesbrough College Reindeer Parade and Community Carnival Sunday, including entertainment from four characters from Disney’s Frozen
- Sunday, November 30 and December 5 and 6
Middlesbrough Food Craft and Gift Market, town centre
- Saturday, December 6, all day
Small Business Saturday
- Saturday, December 6, 3pm
The Big Boro Busk and the Big Sing near Spectra-txt
- Sunday, December 7, 11am – 4pm
Stewart Park Frost Fair
- Saturday, December 13, 2pm – 4pm
Groovy Babies Christmas disco at Middlesbrough Town Hall, entry £3
- Saturday, December 13, 2pm, and Saturday, December 20, 2pm
Frozen on the Big Screen in Centre Square.
- Sunday, December 14, noon – 4pm
Santa’s Grotto at the Dorman Museum, Linthorpe Road. £2.50 per child including gift
Councillor Charlie Rooney, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “The Christmas calendar for 2014 is absolutely jam-packed and we hope the wide variety of events and entertainment planned offers something for everyone.
“It is well worth picking up a brochure or checking the lovemiddlesbrough website for details of the full programme, as well as further details on shopping, food and parking offers.
“And that’s not to mention late night shopping, with many of our stores opening late beyond the traditional Thursday nights – and don’t forget that Middlesbrough Council car parks offer free parking for two hours.”
The Cleveland Centre is sponsoring this year’s Christmas campaign and programme. Operations Manager Graeme Skillen said: “We are really excited to be the main sponsor for the Christmas campaign in Middlesbrough this year.
“We love branching out and working with the community and it does not get any bigger than this.
“There are some really exciting things happening in Middlesbrough at the moment, including the development of the Holiday Inn at our site.
“We’ve also got some exciting news to promote, including the recent opening of Psyche’s Style Lab.
“We’re very much looking forward to working with Middlesbrough Council and other stakeholders across a range of events and activities throughout the year, which can only benefit us all.”
The Reindeer Parade is this year sponsored by Middlesbrough College and will include performing arts and vocational students.
Middlesbrough College Principal and Chief Executive Zoe Lewis said: “Middlesbrough College are delighted to support such a great community event as the Reindeer Parade that brings together, families, businesses and community organisations.
“Middlesbrough College is committed to supporting communities and industries throughout Teesside and we feel that Middlesbrough is very much at the heart of it.”
- For full details of the Christmas programme in Middlesbrough and to search for an event visit lovemiddlesbrough.com