Events to bring festive cheer to our towns

Christmas is coming and plans are well under way for kick-starting the festive season in our towns.

Next weekend (November 24 and 25) sees Stamford and Market Deeping host their Christmas markets and switch on their lights followed by events in Oakham, Uppingham and Bourne at the start of December.

The Stamford Christmas Festival returns on Sunday, November 25, when the town centre will be alive with festive fun.

Stalls will set up along High Street, Broad Street, Ironmonger Street, Red Lion Square and Sheep Market with independent traders offering unusual gifts.

Entertainment includes a funfair, Santa’s grotto, Punch and Judy shows, performances by school choirs and the chance to meet some real reindeer.

The event runs from 10am until 5pm and culminates with the lights switch-on.

Celebrations in Market Deeping also take place on Sunday, November 25.

Market Place will be packed with stalls of seasonal crafts, gifts and food. There will be a funfair and entertainment by local groups including the Glebe Singers and performers from The Deepings School.

Organisers have lined up a local celebrity to switch on the lights at 5pm.

Bourne Events Team will host a Christmas fair on Saturday, December 1 from 11am until 5.30pm around the town centre.

Attractions include fair rides, charity and gift stalls, Santa’s grotto at Wake House, princess meet and greets, stage entertainment and festive food. Santa will turn on the lights at 4.30pm.

Oakham’s festivities will be split over two days. On Sunday, December 2 there will be craft and charity stalls in Market Place from midday and carol singing at 3pm before the lights are switched on at 4pm.

Oakham Town Council has invested in a new tree and lights this year and is asking people to nominate someone they think deserves the honour of switching them on.

Town councillor Sally-Anne Wadsworth said: “We wanted to try something different and came up with the idea of finding someone who has done something good to turn the lights on. It could be anyone.”

A young carer and siblings who have lost their mother are already in the running but nominations are open until November 19. To make a nomination email swadsworth@oakhamtowncouncil.gov.uk

Oakham’s late-night shopping event will take place on Monday, December 10 from 4pm to 9pm.

Uppingham’s Christmas market takes place on Thursday, December 6 from 5.30pm to 9pm. Santa and his reindeer will be there with live music, a dance show, choirs, entertainers and stalls in the town hall plus children’s activities in the church.