TV star comedian James Acaster will help kick off Christmas in Kettering this year by turning on the town’s lights at the eagerly anticipated ‘BIG Switch On’ event. The local born comedian will take to the stage on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 30th November as part of a fun festive schedule.
The BIG Switch on will run from 5-7.30pm and, in addition to Acaster, will be hosted by Connect FM and will feature the cast of the Lighthouse Theatre’s Christmas Panto ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ plus live music and entertainment for the whole family.
Stand-up comedian James Acaster has become a regular on TV panel shows such as Mock the Week and 8 out of 10 cats and has received acclaim from around the world, including a record breaking 5 consecutive nominations for ‘Best Comedy Show’ at the 2012-2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. He also returned to Kettering to film a series of comedy shorts as he visits some of his old haunts and around the town, including Boughton House, The Manor House Museum and Wicksteed Park. *Watch all six ‘Sweet Home Ketteringa’ videos*
There will be plenty of chances to support your local town centre with late night shopping on Thursdays from 30th November. Small Business Saturday and the Teenage Market returns on 2nd December and a special Christmas Market will be held on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 14th December. There’ll also be the chance to wrap up warm and watch a festive film on the Big Screen on the Market Place on Thursday 21st December at 5pm.
As part of the Christmas festivities, and to support local businesses, Kettering Borough Council is offering FREE parking in its town centre car parks on the following days in December*:
- all day on Saturday 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd December 2017, and
- after 3pm on Thursday 7th, 14th and 21st December 2017
These are in addition to the free parking that already operates in Council owned car parks on Sundays (all day) and evenings (after 6pm).
Further information on the full schedule of Christmas in Kettering activities will be unveiled over the coming weeks at www.thisiskettering.com/christmas
Christmas in Kettering 2016
Christmas in Kettering 2016
James Acaster said: “Kettering has always lit up my life and I am humbled to be able to do the same for Kettering”
Guy Holloway, Head of Corporate and Cultural Services at Kettering Borough Council, said: “There is an exciting line up of activities in Kettering Town Centre in the run up to Christmas this year. The programme of festivities we have put on will provide a range of attractions for the whole family. Christmas this year is definitely in Kettering!”
Councillor Lloyd Bunday, Kettering Borough Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture, said: “We’re delighted to have James Acaster switching on the lights in his home town and getting the local community in the mood for Christmas. This year\’s events include entertainment for all the family which I hope will encourage lots of people into the town centre. Over the festive period, as well as the big switch-on, there’ll be Christmas Markets, a big screen movie and free parking days to enjoy.”