St Helens Christmas switch-ons: when are they held?

As reported by the Star, the celebrations will be scaled back this year due to funding reductions -  with the council instead putting a traditional community focus on the event.

In a statement announcing the dates,  St Helens Borough Council said it was moving away from "previously staged music acts" for this year's events in St Helens and Earlestown.

Light parades

Instead, Church Square and Market Street events will be focused "on building new traditions for the whole family to enjoy" – with light parades, brass bands, choirs and a Santa’s grotto.

It is hoped the light parades - with support from Willowbrook Hospice - can be part a key part of the event and form a major community festive celebration.

When are they?

The St Helens event, between 10am and 6pm Saturday, November 30 will coincide with the monthly Pop-Up Market. The Earlestown event the following week on - Saturday, December 7 - will also feature the market.

The council did not explain the reason behind the scaling back, but the Star understands significant cuts to the events budget an staffing - due to the council's ongoing need to make savings - has left little room to move.

Expenditure of the past

St Helens Council, like many other councils, has faced criticism in the past for expenditure on booking acts to perform at lights switch-ons, however, it has used external funding on some occasions.

The local authority said this year it would encourage families and local communities to come together and play an active role at both events to support the festive atmosphere.

Kath O’Dwyer, St Helens Borough Council chief executive, said: “Every year, residents turn out in their thousands to attend our Christmas events in St Helens and Earlestown and we hope that residents will enjoy and embrace this year’s events which have been planned in partnership with communities, with something for everyone to enjoy."

The light parade will call on communities to come together to spread 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 own lights to take part in the walk.

Christmas markets

Ms O’Dwyer added: “We know how important the festive period 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.

“We are also delighted to be working with our good friends at Willowbrook this year and to have secured the hugely popular Pop-Up Market for both events.

"Markets like this at Christmas time always prove popular in bringing people into towns and cities, with an array of festive treats on offer.

"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.”

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.”

There will also be a children’s funfair, Christmas arts and light-making workshops and entertainment throughout the day at both events.

Other events around town

In St Helens, Lucem House Community Cinema+ on Corporation Street and community bookshop, the Book Stop, 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.