The team at Marshall’s Yard are getting ready to kick off the festive season in style as the centre prepares for its annual Christmas Lights Switch-On celebration, taking place on Sunday 15 November, 12pm – 6pm.
The popular event is set to bring families, friends and the wider Gainsborough community together for an afternoon packed with live entertainment, festive shopping, delicious food and plenty of Christmas cheer.
This year’s special guest, Gainsborough’s very own European Interim BKFC World Champion Rico Franco, will be joining the celebrations to switch on the centre’s Christmas lights at 5pm, officially marking the start of the festive season at Marshall’s Yard.
Visitors can look forward to a fantastic line-up of live entertainment throughout the afternoon, with Gainsborough Musical Theatre Society opening the event with a special performance from the cast of their Wizard of Oz pantomime.
The celebrations will also feature performances from the popular Rock Choir and Bhangra Smash Up Drummers, with the JAXX Band bringing the event to a close.
Families can enjoy a range of activities, including free face painting, Christmas crafting, a traditional carousel, chair-o-planes, hook-a-duck, cork shooter and an inflatable snow globe. Children’s fairground rides will be available from £2 each.
Santa will also be making a special appearance at his festive grotto from 2pm to 5pm, where children can meet Father Christmas for £5 per child, with all proceeds going towards The Dransfield Foundation.
More than 30 festive stalls will be joining the celebrations, offering a fantastic selection of artisan gifts and treats from local traders. Visitors can also enjoy a tempting selection of festive food and drink, including Yorkshire pudding wraps, German sausages, crepes, and warming festive drinks.
This year’s event is kindly sponsored by STEP Fusion, Wright Vigar, Sills & Betteridge Solicitors Gainsborough and Scunthorpe, and S W Cowley and Co Builders, Joiners & Garden Buildings, whose generous support has helped make the celebrations possible.
Melissa Clement, Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, said: “Our Christmas light switch-on is always such a special event and we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone for another fantastic celebration.
“We’ve got a brilliant line-up of entertainment planned for the whole family, and we’re especially excited to welcome Gainsborough’s very own Rico Franco.
“We’re also incredibly grateful to our local sponsors for their continued support in helping us bring this wonderful community event to life.”
Key Event Times
12pm: Event opens with festive stalls, food, amusements and live entertainment
1pm to 5pm: Free face painting
2pm to 5pm: Santa’s Grotto – £5 per child, with proceeds going to The Dransfield Foundation
5pm: Traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On and countdown with special guest Rico Franco
6pm: Event closes
A number of retailers will be operating revised opening hours to coincide with the event. Retailers including B&M, Browns, Holland & Barrett, Phone Outlet, The Range, The Works and Waterstones will open from 11am – 5pm. Other stores, such as M&S, Superdrug and Next, will operate their usual Sunday trading hours of 10am – 4pm.
For updates and full event details, visit: www.marshallsyard.co.uk.
Christmas Lights Festival
Gainsborough’s Christmas Lights Festival will take place on Friday 20 November, and is the perfect opportunity to light up your festivities with live music, vintage funfair, food & drink & more!
Festive Farmers’ and Craft Market
Join us on Saturday 12 December for our Christmas Farmers Market in Gainsborough Market Place.
Christmas In Gainsborough
Wrap up warm and get ready to discover Gainsborough and the surrounding area this Christmas. Delve into local history, enjoy a nearby family attraction or step out into the picturesque Lincolnshire countryside. Have a great day out this festive season and take home some amazing memories.
Soak up the festive atmosphere with great events throughout the holiday season, indulge in delicious food and drink or take time to discover the town’s fascinating past.
Click here to find out more – Christmas In Gainsborough.
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