The Christmas magic returns to Newcastle-under-Lyme on Sunday 23rd November as Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, alongside 6 Towns Radio and with support from Valcato Entertainment, hosts its spectacular Light Up Castle switch-on event. Get ready for a full day of free, feel-good festivities for all ages from 12pm.
6 Towns Radio’s Dan Townley and Rich Hughes will bring the festive spirit to life from the main stage outside The Guildhall, introducing a packed programme of live entertainment before the big countdown. This year’s headliners are Bejeweled – The Taylor Swift Tribute, and Spice Forever – the Spice Girls Tribute Show, followed by the big switch on. The young Your Heroes Awards nominees will have the honour of lighting up the town followed by a firework display and live music.
From midday, the High Street and Ironmarket become a wintery playground for performances by local artists, schools and community groups.
On the Ironmarket, Castle Artisan Market brings brilliant makers, bakers and creators, plus street food and festive drinks from local businesses, perfect for gift hunting and winter treats and the 6 Towns Radio gazebo will run a rolling programme of live sets, guest appearances and community shout-outs throughout the afternoon.
There’s plenty for families throughout the afternoon, including fun fair rides from Stanworths, free Christmas crafting and interactive entertainment across the town centre, leading right up to the switch on. B Arts will also be hosting free drop-in lantern-making workshops on the day, so you can craft a lantern ready for the Newcastle-under-Lyme Lantern Parade on 6th December.
Charlotte Pearce, BID Manager, says:
“Light Up Castle is one of the biggest events in our town calendar and such a fun way to kick start the festive season. It’s a big, brilliant day and evening where the whole town comes together to celebrate. We’re honoured to have the Your Heroes nominees join us again this year switch on the lights.
The Light Up Castle event and seasonal lighting across the town are funded and arranged by the BID on behalf of our levy payers each year, with over 650 metres of lighting installed – that’s more than 65,000 lights bringing festive sparkle to our town.”
Dan Townley from 6 Towns Radio adds:
“It’s always great to be part of Light Up Castle event. I’ve had the privilege of hosting the main stage for the past four years and every year it just gets bigger and better. The atmosphere is incredible, you can really feel the community coming together to support the town and celebrate the start of the festive season. Seeing families, friends and local businesses all out enjoying themselves makes it such a special day and it’s a real highlight in Newcastle’s calendar for me.”
Free parking will be available on select Borough Council car parks, courtesy of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, making it easy to join the celebrations.
Looking ahead, winter festivities continue throughout December! Join B Arts for the Newcastle Lantern Parade on Saturday 6th December at 5pm from Keele in Town and enjoy delicious bites to eat at the Castle Food & Drink Fest on Saturday 13th December.
For updates, the full performance schedule and timings, follow @newcastlebid on social media.
