Christmas in St Helens and Earlestown

Families and communities encouraged to come together for St Helens and Earlestown Christmas events

St Helens Borough Council has announced the dates for its town centre Christmas celebrations in St Helens and Earlestown - with families and local communities encouraged to come together and play an active role.

In a move away from previously staged music acts - this year, events in Church Square and Market Street are focused on building new traditions for the whole family to enjoy - with light parades, brass bands, choirs, Santa's grotto, as well as the popular monthly Pop-Up Market in St Helens town centre, among the entertainment and attractions at both events which are sure to create a festive atmosphere.

As Christmas time is considered the season of goodwill and a charitable time of year, the council is pleased to team up with Willowbrook Hospice as part of a brand-new attraction which will call on communities to come together to take part in a festive light parade to spread light and a warm glow across St Helens before the Christmas tree lights are switched on.

A similar light parade is also planned for Earlestown, with workshops held in both town centres for members of the community to make their very own lights to take part in the walk.

Meanwhile there will also be a children's funfair, Christmas arts and light-making workshops and entertainment throughout the day at both events - 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 this year 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.

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.

Look out on St Helens Borough Council's social media channels for more information in the coming weeks.