Following the success of last year’s Christmas town events, Hailsham Town Council and project partners are in full swing with the planning and organisation of this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-on and Christmas Market, which take place in Vicarage Field on Friday 25th November and Saturday 10th December respectively.
The town centre will be home to a range of stalls selling fine food, Christmas gifts, confectionery and other items at the Christmas Market event in December, and various festive refreshments will be on sale to tempt visitors.
The event will also feature Santa and his Sleigh as well as live music, plus there will be carol singing in Vicarage Field and at the Cattle Market site (details to be announced soon). Hailsham FM will be playing popular Christmas tunes throughout the day.
The Town Council’s festivities team will once again be organising a ‘Find the Elf’ competition for families and children and there will also be a ‘Best Dressed Elf’ contest for primary school age children to enter, with the judging and announcement of the winner taking place at the Farmers’ Market site that day.
Hailsham Parish Church will be hosting Wealden Brass Band’s Christmas Concert at 2.30pm on the day (free entry).
Hailsham Farmers’ Market will hold a special Christmas event at the Livestock Market site in Market Street on the same day, selling local, quality, traceable food and crafts. There will also be festive entertainment on-site, details of which will be announced soon.
Market traders can benefit from booking a free stall on the day and are encouraged to do so by calling 01323 841702 or emailing enquiries@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.
Councillor Nigel Coltman, Vice-Chairman of the Town Council’s Communities Committee said: “It may only be July, but we’re already getting into the Christmas spirit here on the Committee. We received encouraging feedback from both shoppers and stallholders in previous years and are looking forward to doing it all again this December and making the event an even bigger success.”
“We’re also excited to have built on the programme of festive entertainment and look forward to welcoming stallholders who can help us continue to make Christmas in Hailsham really magical.”
Prior to the Christmas Market and Christmas Farmers’ Market, a special Christmas lights switch-on event – which is always a highlight of the year in Hailsham -will take place in Vicarage Field on Friday 25th November.
Pupils from Hailsham Community College and Hailsham Primary Academy will be carol singing before the official switch-on and Santa will be attending (courtesy of Hailsham Rotary Club), handing out sweets to children. Hailsham FM will be broadcasting live at the event.
Hailsham Parish Church will be open for the duration of the event serving free hot drinks (including hot chocolate) with marshmallows. Free and looks forward to welcoming everyone.
Encouraging people to mark the date of the event in their diaries now, Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook said: “The Christmas lights switch-on is always one of the highlights of the year in the town centre and indicates that festivities are underway. I hope many people decide to attend the event, enjoy the entertainment on offer and get in the festive spirit with their friends and family.”
Further information on both Christmas events will be announced soon. For enquiries in the meantime, contact Karen Giddings on 01323 841702 or by email: karen.giddings@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk