This year, on Saturday 17 November, Yeovil will be welcoming Christmas with a light switch-on ceremony, featuring the return of the 5th annual lantern parade.
In a colourful procession around the town centre, the lantern parade will help to light up the town before the official switch on event at the bandstand in Middle Street.
Love Yeovil and South Somerset District Council have teamed up this year to run free lantern making workshops ahead of the parade. The best three lanterns will be awarded a prize this year, including a winner’s cup and family tickets to this year’s panto at the Octagon Theatre, Aladdin.
Councillor Peter Gubbins, Chairman of Area South Committee at South Somerset District Council said, “Another great community night for Yeovil is coming up fast. Don’t miss out on this colourful and exuberant evening when our lanterns will light up the town centre ahead of the light switch-on.”
Lantern Workshops
Come and join in a free lantern making workshop on Saturday 10 November and take away your own creation. The workshop will run from 10am until 4pm at Milford Community Hall, spaces are limited and will be given on a first come, first served basis. Please contact [email protected] to confirm your place.
If you can’t attend the workshop, a lantern making video clip will be released which details the materials needed and shows you how to make a lantern at home. More details about the video will be released on the Love Yeovil Facebook page by Friday 2nd November.
Light switch-on
Join hundreds of other people and celebrate the Christmas light switch-on at the bandstand in Middle Street on Saturday 17 November. The stage show starts at 5.00pm with the lantern parade starting at 5.30pm and the switch-on taking place at 6.30pm.
Hosted by The Breeze FM, the event will be packed with entertainment to get us all into the Christmas spirit. Other entertainment to enjoy and get you in a festive mood includes pantomime stars from Aladdin, a Michael Bublé tribute act, local musical talent of Flic and Jamie, funfair rides and the main man himself – Father Christmas.
The ‘design a Christmas light’ competition winner will be pressing the button to turn on the amazing show of lights throughout the town centre, kindly organised by Yeovil Town Council.
St Johns church will be laying on entertainment of their own including refreshments, a puppet show and songs , a mouse treasure hunt, Christmas craft and much more, open 5pm to 8pm.
Although the lights will be turned on in the evening, festivities will be present in the town throughout the day. At the Quedam Shopping Centre, you can attend the fun fair, relax with a hot drink whilst listening to some music from local bands, or browse some local stalls.
Late night Shopping Experience
The switch-on event marks the start of late night shopping in Yeovil town centre. From Thursday 22 November, many of the town centre’s shops will be open late every Thursday leading up to Christmas. Please check the Love Yeovil Facebook page for details of shop opening times leading up to Christmas.
There’s no rush to get back to the car before your ticket runs out as parking is free after 6pm. You can find more information at www.quedamshopping.co.uk.
Ye Olde Yeovil Christmas Market
On Saturday 15 December, Yeovil will host ‘Ye Olde Yeovil Christmas Market’ where you will be able to purchase some fine local produce.
At the market, there will be more live music and the opportunity to meet some live reindeer. Why not come and see Father Christmas whilst you’re there? He’ll be in his grotto in the Quedam Shopping Centre on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Thursday 29 November until Thursday 20 December. Contact Adrian Snipe at MSD Markets Ltd. by calling 07403 974699 to book a pitch at the market or visit www.medmarket.co.uk.
If you don’t want to miss out on the reindeer, they’ll also be at the Quedam Shopping Centre on Thursday 13 December. Come along after work and school to feed, meet and stroke the reindeer whilst you enjoy some late night shopping.
On Sunday 2 December, the Quedam Shopping Centre will play host to a Christmas Fair – the perfect opportunity to buy some festive gifts for loved ones. The Christmas Fair will also feature a face painter, live music from local artists with Antix Music and Christmas themed food and drinks. Father Christmas and his elves will be available for free photos to top off this festive family day out. Stalls can be booked for this event by emailing [email protected].
Yeovil is full of festive treats this winter to get you into the spirit of Christmas; we think even Ebenezer Scrooge would have a jolly good time!