Kettering snooker sensation Kyren Wilson 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 sports star will take to the stage on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 29th November as part of a fun festive schedule.
The BIG Switch on will run from 4.45-8pm and, in addition to Wilson, will be hosted by Connect FM and will feature Malcolm ‘The Fish Man’ Vials and the cast of the Lighthouse Theatre’s Christmas Panto ‘Aladdin’ plus live music and entertainment for the whole family.
There will be plenty of chances to support your local town centre with late night shopping on Thursdays from 29th November. Small Business Saturday and the Teenage Market return on 1st December and a special Christmas Market will be held on Kettering Market Place on Thursday 6th December. There’ll also be the chance to get your skates on and enjoy a free pop-up ice rink (Saturday 1st, 8th & 15th December, 10am-4pm) and wrap up warm and watch festive film, The Polar Express, on the Big Screen on Thursday 20th December at 5pm, both will be held on the Market Place.
Also, why not try and complete our new 12 days of Christmas Trail, running on 1st, 8th, 15th, 20th, 21st & 22nd December? Grab a map from the Manor House Museum and explore the town centre to find twelve clues in different shops and claim your treat.
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 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd December 2018, and
- after 3pm on Thursday 6th , 13th and 20th December 2018
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
Kyren Wilson, said:
“I am chuffed to be turning on Kettering’s Christmas lights. Being a local lad and loving my hometown, it’s an honour for me.”
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 Scott Edwards, Kettering Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community and Culture, said:
“We’re delighted to have Kyren Wilson 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, ice skating, a big screen movie and free parking days to enjoy.”
