MELKSHAM’S countdown to Christmas begins next weekend with the town’s big Christmas lights switch-on and festive fayre.
Thousands of people will flock to the Market Place on Saturday 2nd December for the much-anticipated event which kickstarts the festive season in the town. Live music and entertainment will be on offer from 2 pm before the big lights switch on and fireworks at 6 pm with the festivities ending at 7 pm.
There will be over 60 stalls in the Market Place and Assembly Hall selling festive crafts, produce, gifts and cards, plus face painting, stilt walkers, fairground rides and a special appearance from Frozen star, Olaf.
Father Christmas will arrive on his sleigh and there will be a special Santa’s Grotto with storytime-themed sessions throughout the day, presented by Melksham Carnival Team. Tickets are available on the day.
Entertainment in the Market Place will be from The Sunnies, Red, Plan of Action, Bell’s Angels, In 2 Dance and Melksham School of Dance.
In the Melksham Assembly Hall, there will be an Avon Bowls Club sing-a-long and performances by Melksham Rock ‘n’ Roll, Melksham Music and Drama and vocalist, Hannha Glencross. Andy Baker will MC and DJ all day.
The lights have been put up by Melksham’s much-loved Christmas Lights Group, who volunteer their time for free every year to decorate the town centre. The group won Melksham News’s 2022 Group of the Year award for their efforts in making Melksham’s Christmas lights the talk of the town.
New to the event this year is the Melksham Christmas Memory Tree, which will be decorated by residents with messages for loved ones.
To be included on the memory tree, take your dedications to Melksham Town Council in Melksham Town Hall by Thursday 30th November.
“This is one of the biggest events of the year in Melksham and I am looking forward to seeing as amazing a turnout as we had last year,” says Melksham’s deputy mayor, Cllr Tom Price said.
“Wrap up warm and come on down to see the array of stalls the town will have on offer whilst enjoying live music and most importantly, Melksham’s Christmas lights being switched on. It is always fun for the entire family; I’ll be there with mine and I hope to see you there with yours on Saturday 2nd December. Melksham Christmas lights group always put on a great show, so please come down and see it for yourselves.”
Road Closures
In order to allow the event to take place safely, there are two road closures in place.
A small road closure will close off the Market Place car park and taxi rank for the whole day and, at midday, the whole Market Place roundabout and High Street will be closed as far as Lowbourne, as well as part of Spa Road and King Street.
Access to the Melksham Community Campus and Crown House will be maintained until 5pm, and we are grateful to the Campus for supporting this event by closing early at 4pm on the day, to make sure everyone has time to leave before the road is fully closed.
Vehicles in Church Street and Church Walk will be able to leave but no vehicles can access Church Street between midday and 8 pm.
There will be no vehicle access anywhere else except emergencies during this time so please bear this in mind when making plans for the day.
Pictured: Melksham Christmas Lights team
