Council collaborates with charities for this year's town centre Christmas events

Article date: 15 November 2024

Taking place in St Helens town centre on Saturday 30 November, followed by Earlestown town centre on Saturday 7 December, this year's Christmas events are focused on building new traditions for the whole family to enjoy - with light parades, brass bands, carols, choirs, Santa's grottos, as well as the popular monthly Pop-Up Market among the entertainment and attractions at both.

In a move away from previously staged music acts - this year, the council has partnered with Willowbrook Hospice, St Helens Parish Church, Wonder Arts, Lucem House Community Cinema Plus+,The Book Stop, Business for Youth, Newton Boys and Girls Club and Newton-le-Willows based community interest company, Domestic Abuse WA12, to deliver a whole day of fun-filled activities for all the family to enjoy.

Kath O'Dwyer, Chief Executive of St Helens Borough Council, said:

"This year, we're delighted to collaborate with a number of truly amazing partners across the local charity and faith sectors to put together a fantastic festive treat as we start the countdown to Christmas in St Helens Borough.

"We know how important this time of year is to residents across our communities and how holding such events has a positive impact on town centre businesses that contribute to the local economy, with the Pop Up Market a great addition to this year's offering. Going off how successful the Pop-Up Market has been in St Helens over the past few months, we are sure that will be the case for both our Christmas events, too."

Commenting on being part of the St Helens Christmas event for the first time, Alun Owen, Corporate Director at Willowbrook said:

"On behalf of everyone at Willowbrook Hospice, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for inviting us to be part of this year's St Helens Christmas event. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and celebrate the festive season together."

Rev Rachel Shuttleworth, vicar of St Helens Parish Church, said: "St Helens Parish Church is really pleased to be part of the community Christmas event plans in St Helens town centre. We are so blessed that we will have the beautiful tree right outside our doors in Church Square. During the day we will be open with a cafe running, as well as crafts for all ages as part of our 'Hope Week' thinking about light and hope at the start of Advent. 

"Christmas is a time of fun and celebration, but also a time to come together and remember our humanity. It's a time when we remember the love and hope at the heart of our celebration of Christ's birth is still available to us all today."

As part of brand-new attraction to this year's events, the council - in collaboration with Willowbrook Hospice - has organised a light parade, calling on communities to come together to spread light and a warm glow across St Helens town centre before the Christmas tree lights are switched on by the Mayor of St Helens Borough and yet-to-be-announced Pride of St Helens winner.

Earlier in the day between 11am-4pm, local charity, Wonder Arts, will be holding a workshop in the former Go Outdoors unit in Church Street where visitors can make their very own light jars to take part in the parade, with tutorials on how to make one at home available on their website.

From Monday 25 November throughout Hope Week, people will be able to make their own Christingle - a symbol of Advent and Christmas - in St Helens Parish Church which can be used as part of the parade.

A light parade is also planned for Earlestown.

There will also be a children's funfair, Christmas walkabout characters and entertainment throughout the day at both events, with the Earlestown Sea Cadets also holding their Christmas market that day too. While in St Helens, Lucem House Community Cinema+ on Corporation Street and community bookshop, the Book Stop, over in Bridge Street, will be getting in on the action with a family showing of Julia Donaldson's Stick Man - with local author, Sue Gerrard, the special guest for a Christmas story time reading of The Grumps at Christmas.

As Christmas is considered the season of goodwill, visitors in a position to do so are asked to consider donating to the council's gift appeal for disadvantaged children and young people, with a number of drop-off points located around St Helens and Earlestown town centres.

The St Helens town centre Christmas event will take place on Saturday 30 November between 10:00am-6:00pm, with the Earlestown event taking place the following week on Saturday 7 December, also between 10:00am-6:00pm.