Thousands of people celebrated the start of Christmas shopping in Southport with an entertainment packed Festive Fun Day!
The fun, free event was organised by Southport BID and The Atkinson and provided a whole host of Christmas entertainment on Saturday (19th November 2022).
The Bandstand hosted Express Performing Arts Academy, Central Dance Studios, BabyBallet, and local singer Kelly Bond performing Christmas songs between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
The Town Hall Gardens saw people coming together between 4pm and 5pm for traditional carols and classic hits. It was hosted by singer and radio presenter Claire Simmo and Sandgrounder Radio featuring performances from The Atkinson Wellbeing Choir, All Souls Dramatic Club and SONG.
There, they were bathed in the glow of Southport’s glittering 18 metre high Christmas tree, which is provided each year by Southport BID and creates a series of mesmerising colour-changing displays thanks to 25,000 multi-colour pixels.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Sorcha Mai O’Brien (left) and Claire Simmo (right) from Sandgrounder Radio. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
The tree was installed by Southport lighting firm IllumiDex UK Ltd.
Saturday also saw families taking part in the Southport Gingerbread Trail, seeking Gingerbread figures throughout the town centre. Entries are posted in a special postbox in Marble Place Shopping Centre on Chapel Street, with the lucky winner winning an iPad.
The day also saw the opening day of Santa’s Grotto inside Wayfarers Arcade on Lord Street.
The Christmas Grotto at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Families were able to enjoy Christmas Carriage Rides down Lord Street for the first time.
The Grotto and Carriage Rides are available for booking via the Southport BID website.
All proceeds from paid activities such as the grotto and the carriage ride will act as charitable donations and be distributed to the Southport Lions Club, Southport Lifeboat, and Queenscourt Hospice. All BID-funded events are accessible to all.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Crowds enjoy the entertainment at The Bandstand. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Christmas decorations which have been provided by Southport BID in the town centre have now been switched on.
For the first time, people can take part in the new Illustrate Illuminate Trail.
The BID asked young people to submit festive artworks, eight of which have been turned into light decorations which are helping Southport sparkle this Christmas.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Make a note of the letter assigned below each light as you find them. When you have them all, unjumble the letters, and spell out a festive word.
Post your entries to Santa’s letterbox in Marble Place, and you could win an iPad.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Singer Kelly Bond. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:
“Southport BID has many Christmas themed attractions taking place in the town during November and December, such as our Gingerbread Family Trail, our Christmas Grotto, our Carriage Rides and our Illustrate Illuminate Trail which will be lots of fun for families and a great way of discovering what our town has to offer.”
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport. Central Dance Studios. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
Last year, Southport BID made a substantial investment in providing 300,000 LED lights in the trees along both sides of the beautiful Lord Street shopping boulevard in Southport town centre which guarantees that real wow factor in the run-up to Christmas.
Thousands of people enjoyed the Festive Fun Day in Southport.Talented young dancers from Babyballet entertained the crowds. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
More information on all of this year’s events and activities can be found at www.southportbid.com/christmas
If you require any further information on this year’s Christmas programme, please email: [email protected]
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