Communities came together for an eventful festive season throughout West Lindsey

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Image displaying crowd attending the Illuminate Guided Walk with drums and LED lights

It has certainly been the season to be jolly in West Lindsey thanks to communities across West Lindsey who put on a host of events during the run up the festive season.

From Christmas Light switch on to Christmas Markets and the annual Illuminate event in the district, there has certainly been something for everyone to enjoy.

Gainsborough kicked off the festivities on Saturday 12 November with the Christmas Lights Festival. The crowds turned out in their thousands over the three days and were treated to live music, dance and brass band performances, school choirs and family fun provided from the Christmas panto hosted by the Trinity Arts Centre.

The weekend gave people the chance to enjoy the town lit for Christmas with their stunning festive lights displays whilst enjoying free ice-skating, horse and carriage rides and a chance to meet Santa and the real reindeer, as well as live performances from Grace Bower, Lizzie Goddard, Connor Dunk, Helen Evans, Karen Howell and performances from the 40 strong Gainsborough Town Dance Crew for people to enjoy.

Shoppers and visitors were able to soak up the Christmas atmosphere with traditional, classic performances from the City of Lincoln brass band, Lincoln Rock Choir, Carol singers from Gainsborough Methodist Church and from the local Army Cadets.

Jodie Pacey, Centre Manager at Marshall’s Yard, said:

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone for making this year’s festive celebrations so special. We’re thrilled with the response and hope it got the community into the festive spirit!”

Following the Christmas Lights Festival, the annual Illuminate event returned on Saturday 26 November as over 2500 people from near and far created a buzz in the historic heart of the town, filling the area with a joyous atmosphere.

Activities took place throughout the day and evening, offering plenty of ways for people to get involved including am Arts Trail, Lantern Making in All Saints’ Parish Church, The Illumine walk along Riverside Walk, projections on Gainsborough Old Hall, Street performers and a fire garden illuminated the grounds of All Saints’ Parish Church.

Chairman of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Angela Lawrence, said:

“We are incredibly proud to have held such a spectacular event within West Lindsey. It was fantastic to see such a large number of residents and visitors enjoying all of the activities that were on offer.”

On Sunday 5 December, Caistor combined their Christmas Food and Gift Fair with its Christmas Lights Switch-On, which attracted over 1600 people from near and far.

The market was full of wonderful stalls, selling handmade and homemade items including freshly baked goods, home décor and much more, and Caistor and District Lions made sure Father Christmas turned out to say hello to all the girls and boys!

In the evening there was live entertainment for the crowds, making the whole area create a noticeable buzz, before the beautiful lights on the 50ft tree were lit.

From 9 – 11 December, Market Rasen held a number of festivities, including their annual light switch on, Christmas Market plus a Santa Fun Run, attracting over 3000 people across the weekend!

The official light switch-on was held on the Friday evening and on Saturday a well-supported Christmas market was held, along with a craft and gift fair in the town’s Festival Hall, with Market Rasen Ukulele Band entertaining the market goers.

Children from Market Rasen Primary School and Osgodby Primary School brought some Christmas spirit to the switch-on by singing in their choirs to the local residents who watched on. A pupil from each school was chosen to switch on the lights, alongside the Town Mayor, Cllr Stephen Bunney.

On the Sunday, over 50 people of all ages dressed up in their Santa outfits for the Market Rasen Santa Fun Run, organised by Market Rasen Rotary Club.

Rotary President John Moore said:

“I am delighted with how the event has gone.

"Thank you to all the volunteer stewards, including the team from Market Rasen Co-op, and to the Rotarians who served up the soup at the end of the run, but most of all to those who took part in the fun run itself.”

John was one of those taking part and raised around £600 through sponsorship, which will be shared between dementia and prostate cancer charities.

And if that wasn’t enough, you still have the chance to watch Trinity Arts Centre’s Annual pantomime, The Wizard of Oz! There are shows until 31st December, so there is still an opportunity to grab your tickets for this fantastic show with an amazing cast starring Coronation Street’s Scott Wright!

Cultural Events and Marketing Officer at West Lindsey District Council, Daisy Fields, said

“We would like to thank all of our local residents and visitors to West Lindsey for making each of these fantastic events so memorable. To have over 10,000 people attend and celebrate the festivities across the district, including light switch-on events in many of our villages, is just incredible.”

“We are excited to see what events our local communities host in the new year, and would love to advertise these events for free on our new events page on the WLDC website!” 

To see what is  coming up in West Lindsey, please head to our events page where there is also an Event Submission Form, which will allow any event organisers to advertise their event in West Lindsey for free.

For the latest news on West Lindsey District Council visit our council news pages

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