As Christmas approaches, there’s lots of festive activities happening in Congleton. Here are a few of the Christmas gems that you can get involved with…
Christmas Friday
A big turnout is expected in Congleton Town Centre on Friday 24 November for the popular Christmas Lights Switch-On. The fun begins at 4pm, with the big switch on at 6pm. The evening will be packed full of free entertainment and lots of Christmas cheer for the whole family.
Plan your evening, find out what’s happening where & when! Download the handy event guide:
Christmas Window Competition
Look out for Congleton’s beautifully dressed Christmas windows! Shops and businesses go to town every year to wow shoppers with their impressive displays. Judging will take place in December.
Free Parking on three Car Parks on Saturdays in December
On Saturday 2, 9, 16 and 23 December you can benefit from free parking on Princess Street (market), Back Park Street (behind Lawton Street) and Fairground (Library) car parks after 10am. The Fairground car park still has a three-hour upper limit for parking. Back Park Street car park remains free every day after 3pm.
Lantern Making Workshops
Get creative and make a lantern to carry in the parade at the switch-on. All materials are provided at free workshops held on Saturday 4, 11 and 18 November from 10.30am-3.30pm at the Electric Picture House, Spindle Mill, Spindle Street, near the Beartown Brewery. For information tel: 01260 270908 or email: jo@congletoncommunityprojects.org
‘Eco-conscious’ Christmas evening (This event is no longer available)
Come along, bring a friend for a fun evening at the Railway Inn on Monday 13 November, 7pm, hosted by Congleton Climate Action Group. There will be lots of chat and ideas shared on how you can have a more sustainable Christmas from reducing waste, gifting more thoughtfully, wrapping and decorations, present swaps, recipe ideas, money saving tips and much more. Plus make your own upcycled Christmas decoration to take home. There may even be mice pies! The event is free, but booking is essential: CW12climateaction@gmail.com
Christmas Toy Appeal
Please support Congleton’s NSPCC Christmas Toy Appeal. New, unwrapped toys and gifts for local children who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present can be donated at Boots Barn Road, Chronicle Office or Congleton Town Hall untill 16 December.
Shoe Box Appeal
New Life Church is collecting donations towards the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. Boxes can be taken to New Life Church, West Road, Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm from 13-20 November. Visit the Samaritans website for gift suggestions and what not to include: www.samaritanspurse.org.uk/what-we-do/operationchristmas-child
Food Bank Appeal
In addition to the usual food parcels, New Life Church is creating 300 bags of ‘Christmas Joy’ and are asking for festive food donations, such as Christmas Puddings, Mince Pies etc. cash donations also welcome.
Charity Christmas Party
Congleton Town Mayor, Cllr Rob Moreton presents an 80s and 90s Christmas party on Saturday 18 November at Congleton Cricket Club from 7.30pm until late. Tickets cost £10 and include food. Proceeds from the events will go towards the town mayor’s charities. Tickets available from the Congleton Information Centre or by calling Rob on 07597 085396.
Christmas Markets and Fairs
Artisanity craft fair in the Town Hall 19 November, market stalls at the Christmas lights switch 24 November, Makers Market 25 November and 16 December.
The new Congleton Market Quarter will have a Christmas Night Market from 4pm – 9pm every Friday night in December (until the 16th) and an independent street market
on Saturdays to enhance the current market.
Rotary Tree of Light and Life
The Christmas tree will be lit at a short service in the Community Garden, Lawton Street on Saturday 25 November at 4pm. It will remain illuminated, surrounded by stars with personal messages until the 12th Night. The traditional Christmas tree is not just a tree of remembrance, it’s for the living, for friends and loved ones too! Stars can be bought online: www.congletonrotary.co.uk or from the Congleton Information Centre.
Congleton Santa Tour
Santa is getting his sleigh ready to start a grand tour of Congleton’s residential areas from Sunday 26 November. The Santa tour raises much-needed funds for local charities whilst spreading Christmas cheer. Find out Santa’s routes and how to donate – follow ‘Congleton Santa’ on social media.
Childrens Christmas Parties
Town Mayor, Cllr Rob Moreton is hosting two children’s Christmas parties on Monday 11 and Monday 18 December, 5.30pm-7.30pm, for primary school aged children. Tickets cost £5.00 and includes a drink, a small gift, party games and the chance to meet Santa. Proceeds from the events will go towards the town mayor’s charities. Tickets available from the Congleton Information Centre or by calling Rob on 07597 085396.
Civic Carol Service
Congleton’s Candlelit Community Carol Service will take place in the town’s Georgian Church, St. Peter’s in Chapel Street on Thursday 14 December at 7.30 pm. Come and enjoy well loved carols in the company of the Beartown Singers and enjoy seasonal refreshments after the service.
New Life Church, Carol Service
Wrap up warm and join in the Christmas cheer at an outdoor carol concert on Saturday 16 December, 11am-12noon. At the Bridestones Shopping Centre (close to Specsavers). All donations to the Town Mayor’s Charities.
Christmas Concerts
There is a wide choice including Congleton Choral Society on Sunday 5 November in the Town Hall, Congleton Youth Orchestra in the Town Hall on Sunday 10 December, Rotary Concert with Eaton Bank Choir and Silk Brass Band at Daneside Theatre on Saturday 16 December. Fodens Band at the Town Hall on Sunday 17 December.
Christmas Productions
Daneside Theatre on Park Road is proud to host a lineup of feelgood festive favourites include Nativity the Musical (12-18 November) from the award-winning Congleton Amateur Youth Theatre. The Rotary Christmas Concert (10 December) and Hansel and Gretel (13-20 January) presented by Congleton Pantomime. Tickets from the Congleton Information Centre or visit: www.danesidetheatre.co.uk
On your own this Christmas?
Congleton’s Old Saw Mill is offering Christmas Day lunch for people on their own this Christmas. The price is £17.50 and there may be some sponsored places available. Anyone interested in sponsoring, nominating a person or volunteering to help can contact the Old Saw Mill 01260 277658. Big heart Christmas lunches will be delivered on Friday 22 December.
Help Charity when disposing of your Christmas Tree
Start off the year by supporting East Cheshire Hospice, donating money for them to recycle your real Christmas tree. Last year 4% of households in Congleton took up the offer. We are hoping even more will join in this year. To register contact www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/echtrees or tel: 01260 708939.
