WITH only days left to go until Stockton Sparkles Christmas Festival begins the town’s spectacular traditional Christmas tree has arrived in the High Street.
The 45ft tall tree from Kielder Forest was lowered into place by crane into its new home in the High Street’s Central Area today (19 November) and will be dressed on 22 November, ready for the Christmas lights switch on and launch of Stockton Sparkles on Thursday 26 November.
From 5.30pm next Thursday, the northern end of the High Street will host a range of spectacular performances and special appearances before the countdown to the traditional Christmas lights switch on at 6.30pm.
The Christmas tree joins giant Christmas decorations which have appeared around the Town Centre in recent weeks including an extra-large illuminated reindeer and its young calf which sits on the High Street’s plinth, a polar bear and its cub peering inside the Town Hall, a gigantic dazzling gift box above the Shambles Market Hall and a giant glittering bauble in Dovecot Street.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, Councillor Norma Wilburn, said: “Seeing the tree in situ, ready to be decorated, is a true sign that Christmas is on its way. This year Stockton Town Centre is going to be a winter wonderland, the perfect backdrop for residents and visitors to enjoy our festive programme of events, markets and street theatre.”
For full details of Stockton Sparkles’s exciting programme visit www.stockton.gov.uk/events
