Copyright northernirelandworld
The programme begins on Saturday, November 15 with Ballymena’s Christmas lights switch-on at the Harmony Hub. Delivered in partnership with Ballymena BID and Downtown Radio, the family-friendly event will feature Christmas characters and entertainers, live music from Ballymena Strummers and Ballymena Community Choir, as well as face painting and Christmas crafts - with the Downtown Radio Roadshow, hosted by Gary Myles, taking centre stage from 4pm. Starting at 12pm, there will be light entertainment throughout the afternoon, including live music and face painting. A dedicated Quiet Hour from 3pm-4pm will provide a calmer space for families who prefer a more relaxed sensory environment. At 6pm, the Festive Parade will make its way through Ballymena with performances from the Cullybackey Pipe Band, pupils from Ballymena Primary School and Dunclug Primary School, festive floats, and Santa’s Clydesdale horses and dray. The parade will pause at Harmony Hub at 6.30pm, where Santa, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a pupil from Castle Tower School will officially switch on the Christmas lights. The parade will then continue along Wellington Street, Ballymoney Street, William Street, Broughshane Street, Church Street and Bryan Street, finishing at the Tower Centre, which is kindly supporting the event. Following Ballymena’s switch-on, the festive programme continues across the borough: Larne, Friday November 21, Broadway The celebrations will run from 4pm-8pm, starting with a Quiet Hour of outdoor sensory play from 4pm-5pm. From 5pm, families can enjoy face painting, Christmas characters, live music, and street entertainment. The Festive Parade at 7.10pm, led by Santa and the Mayor, will feature a Samba band, festive floats, pupils from Larne and Inver Primary School, Scouts and Christmas trains. The festivities will culminate at 7.30pm when Santa and the Mayor officially switch on Larne’s Christmas lights. Carrickfergus, Saturday November 22 Market Place hosts the town’s Christmas switch-on celebrations. The day begins at 1pm with an Artisan Market in High Street Car Park, followed by a Civic Carol Service at St Nicholas’ Church and a Quiet Hour of outdoor sensory play from 2pm–3pm. From 3pm, the main event will see face painting, Christmas crafts, live music, Christmas characters, and performances from local favourites including Uplift Performing Arts, Royal Tara Dance Academy, and Studio 86. The new Festive Parade at 4.45pm will showcase Santa in his vintage car, Ballyduff Silver Band, Woodlawn Primary School pupils, and festive floats. At 5pm, Santa and the Deputy Mayor will officially switch on the Christmas lights, followed by a fireworks finale at 5.20pm (weather permitting). Whitehead, Saturday November 29 Festivities begin from 12pm with the Victorian Street Fair, organised by the Whitehead Community Association, bringing traditional stalls, festive treats, and seasonal entertainment. The community will come together for a Civic Carol Service at 4.30pm in Whitehead Presbyterian Church, before the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights at 5:30pm. The celebrations will conclude with a fireworks finale at 5.50pm, best viewed along the promenade (weather permitting). Greenisland, Thursday December 4 The celebrations begin at Greenisland Community Centre at 7pm with a Civic Carol Service, including carols from Silverstream and Greenisland Primary Schools. The evening will reach its highlight at 8pm, when Santa and the Deputy Mayor take centre stage to officially switch on the Christmas lights. Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ t's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
