Spalding’s The Crescent will close tonight to host family Christmas event

A town street will be closed tonight to be transformed into a Christmas shopping centre.

Stalls will line The Crescent in Spalding this evening (Friday, December 6) while shops will stay open late.

Santa will also make an appearance with his elevs, as will the Grinch - who won’t be able to dampen the festive frivolities.

The late night shopping - one of many Christmas events in Spalding this month - will run from 5pm-7pm.

“There will be a vibrance about it,” explained Coun Ingrid Sheard.

“A brass band playing at one end and a trailer which will support Spalding Community Choir, followed by Jordan Ravenhill, who will sing up-to-date and Christmas music.”

Also among the attractions will be food and craft and charity stalls, plus a Santa’s Grotto in Bookmark.

On top of this youngsters who find an elf walking the streets can get a special password from them which, if they tell it to the Grinch, wins them a prize.

Members of this year’s South Holland Centre panto Snow White will alos be mingling with shoppers.

"It’s important we support the event and businesses,” said Coun Gary Taylor.

“We need to encourage people to spend their money locally not in other towns or with the online giants.

“It’s been so damaging lately, when shops are gone the’yre gone forever.”Saturday’s market will also have a town centre feel with a brass band, crafts and face painting.

“Lincoln lost its Christmas market and they seem to regret that decision, so we need to build on what we’ve got,” Coun Taylor added.

Completing the festive weekend will be Sunday’s Santa Fun Run, setting off from the Castle Sports Complex at 9.30am.

Anyone interested in the 4.5k run-walk-jog event can register online or on the day. Entry is £5.

Spalding will look particularly Christmassy following the installation of £70,000-worth of new festive lights.

“When we go into town now, with the lights, they’ve made such a massive difference for this time of year,” Coun Jan Whitbourn said.

“So many people are mentioning how beautiful our town looks, its the best its looked for some time for Christmas.”