Sparkling Week of Christmas Switch On Events

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council gets ready to fill the district with Christmas sparkle with a week of Christmas Light ‘Switch Ons’ from Thursday 24 November to Saturday 3 December as part of the Districts 2016 Christkindl celebrations. The week will begin with the ‘Switch Ons’ in Newry on Thursday 24 November and Downpatrick on Friday 25 November.

Join the activities in Marcus Square, Newry from 5pm on Thursday 24 November as the area hosts the Christmas Switch On, the stage will come alive with musical performances and there will be FREE amusements, kids craft workshops, face painting and balloon modelling. Make sure to be there in time to watch Santa arrive and grab a selfie beside him and his reindeer. The lights will be switched on at 6.45pm followed by a pyrotechnic display.  At 7pm the sparkle continues as runners line up to take part in the Newry Christmas Colour Run.  If you wish to take part in the colour run then book your tickets from cashservices.com/colourrun

Downpatrick will host huge crowds in St Patrick Square on Friday the 25 November from 5pm.  Enjoy the Christmas classics and carols on stage from local performers as Colm McAlinden from Down Community Radio welcomes the enchanting Lantern Parade to the celebrations. The parade will be led by Santa and his reindeer and elves and will include Downpatrick Pipe Band, 15 tractors from the Lower Mourne Vintage Club, Local Skiffs and stilt walkers who will leave Down County Museum at 6.15pm and meander down English Street, Market Street to St Patrick Square to join the Christmas celebrations.  There will be amusements, inflatables, face painters and balloon modellers to keep everyone occupied as they wait for the lights to be switched on at 7.15pm if it’s too cold why not take part in the FREE Kids art workshops in The Saint Patrick Centre but make sure not to get in the way of the abseiling elves as they tumble down The Saint Patrick Centre to watch the fireworks.

We managed to track down Santa himself and he said, “I am very impressed with how much is on offer at these events!  I would like to encourage everyone to come to these events and get into the festive mood. Come and meet me and my reindeers, who knows there might even be a sprinkle of snow to end these exciting events. There really is no better place to start the festive season.  I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and A wonderful New Year. Don’t forget to leave some snacks out for me to eat on Christmas Eve!”

Community Switch On events; Crossmaglen 25 November, Newcastle 26 November, Kilkeel 26 November, Ballynahinch 2 December and Warrenpoint 3 December.

For further information please contact Newry Visitor Information Centre on 028 3031 3170 or Downpatrick Visitor Information Centre on 028 4461 2233 full event listings are online at newrymournedown.org or facebook.com/DownFestivals.