Festive Entertainment in Bishop Auckland

This year’s festive season in Bishop Auckland town centre mixes the traditional along with something a little bit different to satisfy all tastes in the run up to Christmas.

The fun kicks off on Thursday December 3^rd, with the Bishop Auckland Town Council’s Christmas Tree Lights being switched on at the entrance to Auckland Castle in the Market Place. The ceremony begins at 4pm with a short procession from inside the Castle gates to the tree by local schoolchildren who will be carrying lanterns which they have made in class. There will then be a Carol Service, after which the Mayor of Bishop Auckland Town Council will switch on the tree lights.

Activities continue throughout December with street entertainment between the hours of 11.30am and 4.00pm on Saturdays 5^th, 12^th and 19^th December. Activities will take place in the pedestrian areas of Newgate Street, Fore Bondgate and Theatre Corner.

The finale to festivities is being held on Sunday December 20^th. Between Noon and 4.00pm a Christmas Showtime Extravaganza is being held in the Market Place. The show will consist of musical entertainment and festive games.

Many of the town centre shops will also be entering into the spirit of the season by taking part in a Christmas Window competition which will be judged in mid-December, and The Butterwick Hospice Charity will be holding their Christmas Craft Fayre in the Newgate Centre on Thursday December 3^rd.

There is also extra shopping as all of the major stores will be opening on the three Sundays before Christmas with some also opening on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th December as well as Bank Holiday Monday 28^th December. The Newgate Centre is open on all of those days. Shoppers will also be able to enjoy extra Markets on Monday 21^st, Tuesday 22^nd, and Wednesday 23^rd. There will be no Market on Saturday 26^th December.

Town Centre Manager, Steve McCormick said: “The street entertainment is aimed at helping along the Christmas atmosphere. It’s a way of creating a festive ambience without getting too much in the way of the busy shopper. It’s also by way of a thank you to all our loyal customers who have shopped in the town centre throughout the year. This year we also have the added attraction of the Christmas Show which we’re hoping will create something a little bit different to previous years and attract more town centre users, and for the more traditionally-minded the Town Council Christmas Tree switch-on event will start the festivities off in a time honoured fashion.”

For further information please contact Steve McCormick, Bishop Auckland Town Centre Manager on 01388 761 957