‘Budget Constraints’ Mean Scaled Down Christmas Light Switch On

Wrexhamites can expect a ‘scaled down’ Christmas Light Switch on this year, with a move from bands and fireworks to a lantern parade through town.

At 6pm on Thursday November 27th Wrexham’s Christmas lights will be switched on, with a ‘Christmas Lanterns and Lights’ parade held in the town centre rather than the usual larger event style switch on with fireworks.

This year will see a festive lantern parade led by Santa and his reindeer, pass through the town centre.

As with the past couple of years the Christmas Light Switch on will not be organised nor fully funded by Wrexham Council, with local art group THIS Project organising this year’s event.

Dave Gray of THIS Project said: “There has been a change of format due to budgetary restraints.

“Due to the budget constraints it was felt that the lights event needed to be scaled back.

“This was seen as a way of refocusing the event on the community.”

The parade will begin at Queens Square and through the town to celebrate the start of the festive season.

In the Saturday’s leading up to the event there will be lantern workshops taking place in venues across the town (location and dates to be confirmed) so everyone who wishes can make a lantern to join in on the night.

Also planned for Christmas in Wrexham this year is the annual Council run ‘Victorian Market’ event – which will take place at St Giles Church on Thursday 11th December.

Dates for late night shopping have also been revealed, with the following shops so far stating they will remain open later on Thursday evenings. Full details can be found below:

• 6th November – BHS
• 20th November – Body Shop, Goldsmiths and Primark (Primark also open until 8pm most of Christmas week and until 9pm 23rd December)
• 27th November – New Look, The Entertainer, Peacocks (Open Christmas week until 8pm) Wilkinson’s, QD Stores and Greenwoods
• 4th December – Ernest Jones, Superdrug, WH Smith (7pm)
• 11th December – Waltons ( plus Sunday opening 3 weeks before Xmas ).
• Argos open until 8.00pm every week, Monday – Friday. Will be open until 9pm Monday -Friday from early December, and until 8pm on Saturday 20th Dec.

Father Christmas will of course also be coming to town, this year on Saturday December 6th, which this year coincides with the Small Business Saturday event in the town centre.

Santa will once again be setting up his grotto in the Peoples Market.