Christmas in Darlington is promising to be an event-full one as a full programme of festive events is set to roll into town. To help people plan their time in the busy run up to the big day, a festive events guide has been produced.
The pocket-size guide features a wide range of fun family things to help everyone get into the festive mood as the run-up to Christmas continues.
Key events include the Christmas Lights Switch on, from 4pm on Sunday 24 November, with guest appearances from panto stars Shirley Ballas and villain Daniel Taylor as well as TFM Roadshow, fireworks and, of course, Santa.
The ever-popular Christmas Markets will see a huge range of festive stalls as more than 60 traders fill the market square from Thursday 5 December alongside the Pease Pudding market from 4pm to 9pm. The market will continue on Friday and Saturday, 10am-7pm, with unique gifts, street food, and much more.
Darlington Ice Sculpture Trail makes a welcome return on Saturday 7 December from 10am-5pm. Visitors can enjoy the thrills and chills of winter with a live interactive ice sculpture trail. There’ll be live ice carving in the market square and the chance to have a go at carving at Joseph Pease Place. More sculptures will be dotted around the town along with street entertainers, fun and music.
Music will fill the market square the following day as the Big Little Gigs Christmas Fest welcomes in the festive season with a fun-filled family day of live music, crafts, singalongs and face painting from 11.30am-4pm on Sunday 8 December.
Local shopping centres have joined in the fun with Christmas carols, crafts and tombola and the chance to meet Olaf the snowman in Queen Street Shopping Centre; Santa’s Grotto, live entertainment, crafts and a special magical event at the Cornmill Shopping Centre. At the DL1 podium there’s the chance to take a selfie in the giant snow globe, enjoy street entertainers, meet Santa and his elves, watch a Christmas marching band and grab a share of 12 days of festive giveaways.
Other events include the Santa Run on Sunday 1 December, Santa at the Station, Christmas at Darlington Libraries and the Darlington Bondgate Round Table Christmas Sleigh which pulls into town on Saturday 21 December.
Marion Ogle, Town Centre Partnership and Events Manager for Darlington Borough Council, said:
“There is something for everyone in our fantastic line up and lots of things are free. We’re delighted to welcome the return of old and new favourites and to thank local businesses for getting involved in putting together this full programme of events.”
The guide is available from town centre venues including the Dolphin Centre, Library, Indoor Market and online at www.enjoydarlington.com Free parking is available every Sunday in all council run and on street parking in the town centre.