There is just under a week to go until the annual Beverley Festival of Christmas on Sunday, 11 December, from 10am-4pm, and final preparations are being put in place.
This year’s event starts with a parade from Wednesday Market to Saturday Market and will include an appearance from Santa and his reindeer, marching bands, Bernese mountain dogs and steam punks. The parade will officially be opened by the cast of The Spa Bridlington’s pantomime, Snow White.
The footprint of the popular Victorian Market will also expand for 2016 to take in North Bar Within and the Flemingate centre, where local traders will be selling a range of festive stocking fillers, colourful crafts and specialty seasonal food from 130 stalls.
As well as items to buy, there will be plenty of family entertainment in all corners of the town.
Flemingate will be hosting a Disney-themed Christmas grotto and in North Bar Within there will be live music and birds of prey display.
Face painting and traditional fairground rides will be located in Saturday Market and more live music will be available in Wednesday Market. Various activities will also be taking place around venues in town, such as Toll Gavel Church, Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Church.
Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economic investment and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“The Beverley Festival of Christmas is a fantastic way to get the whole family into the festive spirit. It is by far one of the most popular events on the local calendar.
“In response to the independent research undertaken during last year’s festival, the council has expanded the offer of the event into new parts of the town, including North Bar and Flemingate as this was a popular request from those visiting the event.
“As well as being a fun family event, the festival is also an excellent way for the council and EY Events to support businesses and attract visitors to Beverley, which helps put the East Riding firmly on the tourism map and boosts the local economy.”
A full programme for the 2016 festival is available on the festival website, including a list of stalls trading, a map of the stalls’ locations, programme times and details of all the entertainment.
