Cirencester Town Council has released details of this years’ Festive Markets, including details of Cirencester’s biggest Advent Markets, on Saturday 26th November and Sunday 27th November.
The Advent Market and Light Switch-On event has been expanded this year to include a 2-day street market on the 26th and 27th November with over 200 stalls across the two days, music, live performances, street entertainment, activities, big screen and much more! The town centre will be closed to traffic and stalls will extend from Castle Street to the top of Cricklade Street and throughout the length of the Market Place, as far as the Fleece Hotel. The market will run from 10am-6pm on Saturday 26th and 10am-4pm on Sunday 27th.
The Town Council has partnered with Keystone Conference & Event Management Ltd to put together a programme of performances inside the Parish Church on the 26th November, featuring local dance and theatre groups, choirs and musicians. This will also be live streamed onto the big screen on the Market Place.
Building on the success of the Health and Wellbeing Week earlier in the year, the Parish Church has kindly allocated space for charities and community organisations to raise funds and offer information and support. Hobbycraft will be running free crafting activities and there will be ‘Stories with Lisa’ for our younger visitors. Santa will make an appearance with his sleigh in the Market Place.
At approximately 4pm on 26th November, the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on by our lead sponsor, Sewell Mullings Logie, accompanied by the Mayor of Cirencester Councillor Sabrina Dixon, Cannon Graham Morris and Cirencester’s self proclaimed ‘Mr. Christmas’, Vernon Harwood who will be the compere for the day. Falling snow, street entertainment and silent fireworks, courtesy of our sponsors, along with light projections in the Market Place will add to the festive atmosphere.
Lead Member for Community Services, Cllr Gary Selwyn said “With lots of exciting things to make it a really memorable occasion for all the family, we hope that local people and visitors alike will embrace the opportunity to support the town’s local businesses and unique traders. We’re really looking forward to the Christmas celebrations in Cirencester this year and are excited to be able to deliver such a full programme after a 2 year break.”
The festive programme continues with a special weekend Christmas Market on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December with live music and street entertainment. The following weekends include a festive Farmers’ Market, General Market and Christmas Gift Markets, and from Tuesday 20th December Christmas Markets will be held daily until the Thursday 22nd December. For those last minute supplies, there will also be a festive Farmers’ Market on Christmas Eve. Charter Markets will be held as normal throughout December.
These events do not happen without the generous support and sponsorship of local businesses. Lead sponsor, Sam McEwan said “Sewell Mullings Logie solicitors are delighted to support the Advent Festival again this year,”
The Town Council would also like to thank Watermoor Point, Cain & Fuller, Wenn Townsend, Rangeford Villages and Alison Fielden & Co. for their generous sponsorship, which has enabled the 2022 Christmas events to be enhanced.
A team of volunteers selflessly give their time to help make the day go smoothly by marshalling crowds, directing and supporting the market traders, and answering queries from members of the public. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact markets@cirencester.gov.uk.
Road closures, managed by the AA, will be in place in the town centre from Midnight Friday 25 November to Midnight Sunday 27 November. The event will take place across the Town Centre including the whole of the Market Place, Castle Street and Cricklade Street.
The following roads will be subject to closures with signed diversions in place. There will be access for residents affected but deliveries and contractors must be arranged outside the closure times.
- Dollar Street – access only
- Gosditch Street – closed from Loveday Mews
- Cricklade Street – closed at Castle Street Junction
- Castle Street – closed at Silver Street Junction
- Dyer Street – closed at North Way Junction
- Black Jack Street – closed at Park Street Junction
Further information about the event and the road closures can be found on the Town Council’s website www.cirencester.gov.uk and social media pages @cirenmarkets or @cirenTC.
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Would be good for some advice on parking please.