Rotherham town centre will welcome visitors for an evening of free entertainment concluding with the official start of the festive season at the Rotherham Christmas Lights’ Switch-on.
The much-loved event regularly sees 6,000 people visit the town centre, and it will take place on Saturday 16 November, starting at 3pm.
On the Main Stage in All Saints’ Square adjacent to the Christmas Tree, there will be performances from The Banned, Rotherham Youth Choir, Rotherham Civic Theatre Panto Cast, The Wichitas and Smashby.
Over at Market Square, local favourites, Let’s Circus will be dazzling the crowds by performing their circus skills with some festive treats from Mrs Santa and her elves.
There will be more street entertainment throughout the evening across the town centre. Look out for Creature Feature’s ‘There’s Nothing Like a Dame’ as the two ugly sisters will be let loose in all their gaudy glamour and fantastic finery to cause festive mayhem and mirth.
Elsewhere, the Christmas spirit continues in Forge Island, ‘And… Breathe’ by Pif-Paf, will bring a new sound and light installation from Pif-Paf, exploring breath, breathing alone, and breathing together, mixing science and the raw joy of community. All the family will also be able to take part in creative workshops and join artists for some creative fun which they can make and take home! Along with a range of creative workshops and inspiring performances, Forge Island will also host the amazing Moon Palace, a joyful artwork and working mobile observatory by Heather Peak and Ivan Morison.
Enjoy exploring the town centre and Rotherham’s variety of businesses before heading to All Saints’ Square for the all-important switch on by the Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Sheila Cowen, at 6pm.
Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, Councillor Robert Taylor said: “The Rotherham Christmas Lights Switch-on is an amazing free event bringing fun and excitement for the whole family as we officially switch on the Christmas lights for the start of the festive season.
“Every year, the event is a much-loved tradition with live entertainment, music, comedy, creative workshops, street entertainers and a gift market. Also, brand new for 2024, we have a new sound and light installation from Pif-Paf; ‘And… Breathe’ in Forge Island. I’m sure there will be something for everyone in this year’s fantastic programme.”
The event will be supported with an outdoor gift market as well as a selection children’s rides situated along Effingham Street.
Free Saturday parking is available in Council-owned off-street town centre car parks (excluding Forge Island car park unless visiting the Arc Cinema and Travelodge Rotherham Central)*. Normal maximum duration time allowed still applies. For full details go online to www.rotherham.gov.uk/parking
There will be three other festive treats in the run-up to Christmas in the town centre including the Rotherham Music’s ‘Schools’ Christmas Concert’, at Rotherham Minster on Tuesday 3 December, 1pm to 2:20pm, and Riverside Library hosts on Monday 9 and Thursday 12 December, 4pm to 5pm ‘Christmas Card Wreath Making’, and at 5pm to 6pm, ‘Meet Santa and Gift’ sessions.
More festive family fun is in store at, ‘A Magical Christmas Adventure’, step into a world of wonder and excitement with a unique and extraordinary Christmas experience, which will take place at Clifton Park from Saturday 30 November until Christmas Eve.
A free winter festival ‘Otherham’ is also coming in January 2025, featuring a captivating trail of projection installations across Rotherham town centre with the renowned theatre company, imitating the dog. This festival is part of the year-long celebration for Rotherham being the very first Children’s Capital of Culture.
Other winter events include activities for cold water swimmers, which will take place at Rother Valley Country Park. The country park will be hosting the International Ice Swimming Championships, on the Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December, 8am to 5pm, and the Really Cold Swim Championships, on Sunday 9 February 2025, 8am to 4pm.
The Rotherham Town Centre Christmas Lights’ Switch-on Event is funded by Rotherham Council, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.