Kendal is gearing up for its Christmas lights switch-on later this month.
Taking place on Thursday, November 16, Kendal Town Council is teaming up with mountain festival organisers to help kickstart the festive season.
People are invited to Kendal Mountain Festival Basecamp, at Abbot Hall Park, for welcome films at 5pm.
A colourful family parade, led by Drum Nation and stilt walkers, will leave the festival’s basecamp at 5.30pm, making its way up Highgate and Stricklandgate into Market Place. All are welcome to join in the festive parade.
Father Christmas and his sleigh will be in Market Place from 5pm, and there will be mulled wine, music and a classic fairground ride to add to the Christmas magic.
As the parade reaches the square, Growing Singers will perform songs celebrating the joy of the great outdoors.
Kendal’s mayor Julia Dunlop will lead the countdown to the lights switch-on, but not before a Kendal Mountain Festival special! Spectators will be invited to watch the skies as renowned Slackliner Lukas Irmler performs his daredevil antics overhead.
Ragtag Arts will then be in Finkle Street and children will have the chance to meet Lukas and test their balance with a slackline taster. All the while, a few stalls will offer a chance to enjoy some food and drink.
Councillor Helen Ladhams, chair of Kendal Town Council’s Christmas lights and festivals committee, said: “The partnership with Kendal Mountain Festival was such a success last year, we’re delighted to be working with the team again to bring Kendal residents a lights switch-on to remember.
“We’re so lucky to have international acts like Lukas here in Kendal, and of course to have such an incredible array of local talent and supporters to make this community event so special.”
