THE COUNTDOWN to Christmas is on in Warwick district.
There are a host of festive celebrations planned over the next few months including a variety of light switch-on events.
Taking place from October 29 to December 3, Kenilworth, Leamington, Warwick, Whitnash and surrounding villages will each host their light switch-ons with entertainment, music, food, and seasonal stalls.
A celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights, will be held outside the Town Hall in Leamington on Sunday October 29 at 6.30pm. The Indian community will be honoured with the switch on of the ‘Happy Diwali’ light.
Leamington will be illuminated on Sunday November 19 for the Big Lights Switch On, with the festivities forming part of the Diwali and Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab celebrations in the town. The fun starts with a Christmas market from 10am. The stage outside the town hall will feature live music, a Kirtan and a reading for Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Gurpurab.
Warwick District Council chair Coun Sidney Syson will light the Myton Hospice Tree of Light outside the town hall at 4pm, with the main lights being switched on at 5.30pm by Leamington mayor Coun Alan Boad, and special guest Moosa Mostafa, local actor and star of Netflix’s Addams Family series, Wednesday.
Warwick’s popular Victorian Evening returns on Thursday November 23, offering residents the chance to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of a Victorian Christmas.
Starting from 3pm with a Victorian market in the Square and rides and entertainment around the town centre, the performances get underway on the stage at 5pm, with the lights being switched on at 7pm by Warwick mayor Coun Oliver Jacques.
Kenilworth will be spreading its celebrations across two days, with the High Street in Kenilworth switching their lights on first on Friday November 24. The traditional event will have entertainment, food, and drink, and the lights will be switched on at 6pm by Kenilworth mayor Coun Alix Dearing.
The celebrations continue on Sunday November 26 on Warwick Road in Kenilworth, with market stalls, food, drink and fairground rides starting at 1pm. The music will start on the stage at 4pm, with the lights being switched on at 6pm.
And Whitnash residents will be celebrating the start of Christmas on Sunday December 4. The event is held outside The Plough and Harrow pub and starts at 4pm with stalls, food, entertainment, and an appearance by Father Christmas. The lights will be switched on at 6pm by Whitnash mayor Coun Simon Button.
For more information visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/events
