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This years Christmas light switch on in Newry next Thursday 23 November is taking the festive event to another level with an incredible range of events stretching all the way from Marcus Square, Hill Street to Sugar Island.
It is the first major Christmas Lights Switch-on within our district, an event that traditionally signifies that Newry City is open for Christmas trading. The event has been expanded majorly this year, something that will be very welcome following the serious flooding that took place at the start of this month.
Previously the event was hosted within Marcus Square but this year Hill Street, Newry Town Hall and Sugar Island are all getting a bit of the festive cheer with two stages of performers, an Artisan market in Newry Town Hall, and lots of activities to guarantee the childer will not be bored.
Event Timetable
Thursday 23 November 6pm to 9pm
Performances – Compéred by Conor Martin local music performers in Marcus Square include Shane McGirr, Emily Flanagan, The Uplifted Gospel Choir as well as a very special guest. The event will conclude with Cloughmore Male Voice Choir performing a traditional choir service around the tree. Marcus Square stage is compared by Conor Martin.
Lights Switch On – At 7.30pm Chairperson Valerie Hearte will be joined by Alfie Pentony, Fight for Alfie Charity and Santa Claus for the Christmas light Switch-on.
Hill Street Decorations - Candy Cane Lane – Newry based professional event decorators will transform Newry`s Hill Street into a themed Christmas Street for this event. There'll also be festive fair stalls.
Santa’s Express Train – Additional family activity for the evening. Santa and his elves will take families for journeys across the event area.
Kris Kringle’s Christmas Characters – A host of Christmas characters will be appearing throughout the evening
Wonderland Funfair Rides – A whole range of funfair rides activities will be there for the children. There will also be plenty of arts and craft family activities through the evening.
Christmas Artisan Market – Newry Town Hall will host a Christmas Artisan Market with spaces given to all businesses directly affected by the recent flooding including McCartan Bros, Sinead’s of Newry, Joesph Magee, Tom McCabe Glass Arts, Nugaleto, Synge and Byrne, William Baird Butchers, Gordons Chemist, George Preston Florists, Bolster Community, Sarah and Mart's Art, A Piece of Cake and others.
Event Stage at Sugar Island – Sugar island/Bank parade will be pedestrianized this year to host the Bessbrook and Camlough Brass Bands for the evening with a food outlet and seating.
Newry Town Halls entrance will be decorated by Preston Florists way with a festival fern archway for the duration of the Christmas season.
Christmas Elves Samba Band – The Samaba band will be touring around Newry’s two shopping centres and main shopping areas to spread festive cheer and samba beats.
LOVE NEWRY Selfie Corners – Festive selfie areas with LOVE NEWRY messaging.
