Families from across Hailsham and surrounding areas are being urged to mark Friday 25th November in their diaries as the date when the town will officially switch on its Christmas lights.
Following on from last year’s very successful event, Hailsham is gearing up for a spectacular show in Vicarage Field this year, featuring festive entertainment in addition to the big switch-on, which will see the town centre transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling Christmas lights.
Santa will be handing out free sweets to children at the event (courtesy of Hailsham Rotary Club) and pupils from Hailsham Community College and Years 1 and 2 of their primary school will be carol singing prior to the official switch-on of the lights, which will take place at 6pm.
If that was not enough, there will be festive refreshments on sale including candy floss (provided by Hailsham Lions), plus Hailsham FM will be playing Christmas music throughout.
Hailsham Parish Church will be open to the public directly after the switch-on and looks forward to welcoming residents and visitors, serving free hot chocolate with marshmallows.
Full details of the event will be announced soon via the local press, and on the Town Council’s social media pages and website.
“Hailsham’s Christmas lights switch-on is one of the town centre’s biggest annual events and the traditional and tasteful line-up of festive entertainment planned means it’s going to be the best yet!” said Town Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook.
“The switch-on event is about bringing the community together to celebrate the countdown to Christmas with their friends and family, and we are hoping that lots of people will come along, take part and join in the fun.”
If that was not enough, the Town Council and project partners are also in full swing with the organising of this year’s Hailsham Christmas Market, which takes place in the town centre on Saturday 10th December.
The town centre will be home to a range of stalls selling fine food, Christmas gifts, candles, confectionery and various festive refreshments will be on sale including 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 Hailsham FM will be playing popular Christmas tunes throughout the day.
The Christmas Market will coincide with Hailsham Farmers’ Market, which will hold a special Christmas event at the Cattle Market site in Market Street, selling locally sourced food and crafts. There will also be festive entertainment on-site and Santa’s Chief Elf will be in attendance for the children.
As part of this year’s Christmas Market celebrations, 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 (details to be announced).
Hailsham Parish Church will be hosting Wealden Brass Band’s Christmas Concert at 2.30pm on the day (free entry).
Market traders can benefit from booking a stall on the day and are encouraged to do so by calling 01323 841702 or emailing kaylee.butcher@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.
Councillor Nigel Coltman, Vice-Chairman of the Town Council’s Communities Committee said: “We’re certainly getting into the Christmas spirit again and, having received encouraging feedback from shoppers and stallholders in previous years, we’re looking forward to doing it all again this December and making the event an even bigger success.”
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk