Haverhill will have its Annual Christmas Celebration this weekend, and here is what is happening
A free fireworks display, the switching on of the town’s festive lights, street performers and more besides will be on offer on Saturday, December 2 during Haverhill Town Council’s Annual Christmas Celebration.
The day will see Queen Street, High Street and Market Square play host to charity and trade stalls, the West Suffolk Makers Market, vintage steam rally attractions, street performers and more from midday to 5pm.
Santa’s Grotto will be in Queen’s Square from 10am, courtesy of the square’s business owners. The grotto will also be open from 4pm to 8pm on Friday. There will also be food and gift stalls, music, snow and entertainment.
Booking for the grotto (at £5 per child) is recommended. To book pop into The Craft Basket or Ellis Interiors, in Queens Square.
There will also be the chance to have a photo taken with Santa and his sleigh and reindeer in High Street on the Saturday.
Returning by popular demand, the Walking Nativity will start at Haverhill Methodist Church, at midday, travelling to various locations including the bandstand and Drabbet Smock to tell the nativity story, before ending at St Mary’s Church.
At 5pm the celebrated Christmas lights switch on event will take place in the Market Square.
This year the lights will be turned on by former Coronation Street heartthrob Scott Wright, who will be the baddie in Dick Whittington, the panto being produced this year by Haverhill Arts Centre.
Revellers are then invited to make their way to the Recreation Ground for the free fireworks display at 5.30pm.
The programme also includes:
Entertainment from The Swervy World band, Victorian Flower seller, toy soldiers and more
Mr Toad and two of his friends from Wind in the Willows perform a cabaret show
Be Unique Performing Arts singing musical numbers from Oliver! and other musicals
Make a Victorian thermatrope, pin prick design Christmas card, paint pottery or decorate a bauble
Local organisations and charities will be raising funds and running activities such as tombolas and lucky dips
Hear the news from a Victorian town crier
Get your face painted by Joni at Ellis Interiors
Some town centre traders are offering discounts, see Haverhill Town Council Facebook page for details
West Suffolk Council has waived parking fees in the Arts Centre Car park for afternoon.
New for 2023, The National Literacy Trust in Suffolk is celebrating stories from pantomime with a Festive Trail in Haverhill for the whole family to enjoy, displaying scenes, items or characters from much-loved panto tales.
Free trail maps will be available to collect from Haverhill Library or Haverhill Arts Centre from December 1 or you can download the trail at literacytrust.org.uk/suffolk
