Whitby Christmas Festival Weekend Gets Underway

Whitby's Christmas Festival gets underway tonight with the town's lights switch on event.

The festival will see a Christmas Market on Front Marina Car Park through out the weekend along with fairground rides and musical performances on the This is the Coast stage.

The big fireworks display will be taking place tomorrow.

Councillor Phil Trumper is looking forward to tonight's opening event.

The town's Christmas lights will be switched on at 7:55pm by some of Whitby's young sporting stars, international rowers Mark, Stephie, and Jack, alongside pupils from Stakesby School Choir.

Phil Trumper says the opening of the market tonight marks the start of a busy festive weekend for the town.

The Whitby Christmas Festival will take place from 15th - 17th November 2024 at the Front Marina Car Park on Langbourne Road in Whitby. Organised by Whitby Town Council, the festival offers a weekend of festive fun for the whole community with a variety of attractions including:

• Craft stalls and food vendors: A range of local vendors like Whitby Gin will be selling their products. Visitors can enjoy browsing the craft stalls and sampling different food and drink.
• Live Music and Entertainment: The festival will feature a variety of musical acts performing on the "This is the Coast Radio Stage", including local bands such as Scandals, Falsetto Frank and The Longmen, the Swinging Santas, the Esk Valley concert band and the Whitby Area Concert Band. There will also be performances from local groups such as the Whitby Jazz Collective, the Whitby Community Choir, Quayside Spinners, Windmill Girls, Stakesby School Choir, and the Swinton Brass Band. Children can enjoy a kids disco hosted by Patty and Nikki at 4pm on Saturday. A Christmas singalong will take place on Sunday. A clown named Derek Robinson will be entertaining the crowds throughout the weekend.
• Children's Rides: A funfair, provided by Franklin's Funfair, will be present throughout the festival.
• Santa's Grotto: Father Christmas will be present at the festival to greet children and receive their letters.
• Fireworks Display: A spectacular fireworks display will take place on Saturday at 7:45 pm.
• School Snowflake Art Display: Local schoolchildren have created unique snowflake artwork inspired by the "Art of Illustration" exhibition at the Pannett Art Gallery. These snowflakes will be displayed throughout the market.

Opening times:

• Friday: 5 - 8 pm
• Saturday: 10 am - 8 pm
• Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm

The Christmas light switch on will take place on Friday evening at 7:55pm.

Here is the full itinerary:

The festivities kick off on Friday at 5 pm with the official opening of the market by Town Mayor Cllr Bob Dalrymple. The opening ceremony will feature the Stakesby School Choir, adding a touch of festive charm. The evening culminates with the highly anticipated Christmas light switch on at 7:55 pm, featuring international rowers Mark, Stephie, and Jack, alongside pupils from Stakesby School Choir. Adding to the excitement, local band Scandals will be performing on Friday evening.

Saturday promises a full day of entertainment, starting with the market opening at 10 am. The "This is the Coast Radio" stage will host a variety of musical acts throughout the day, including the Swinging Santas, Swinton & District Excelsior Band, The Windmill Girls, Quayside Spinners, and Falsetto Frank and the Longmen. Children can enjoy Paddy and Nicky's Kids Disco at 4 pm. As dusk falls, the spectacular fireworks display illuminates the sky at 7:45 pm, creating a magical atmosphere.

Sunday offers a more relaxed pace with the market open from 10 am to 4 pm. Visitors can enjoy performances by the Esk Valley Concert Band, Whitby Area Concert Band, and Whitby Community Choir. The festival concludes with a heartwarming Christmas Music Singalong at 2:30 pm, encouraging everyone to join in the festive spirit.

Throughout the weekend, children can enjoy the funfair provided by Franklin's Funfair, with a variety of rides to keep them entertained. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance at his grotto, ready to receive children's Christmas letters. Adding a unique touch to the festive decor, local primary school children have created beautiful snowflake artwork inspired by an exhibition at the Pannett Art Gallery. These snowflakes, decorated with wintery words and drawings, will be displayed throughout the market.

The Whitby Christmas Festival is not only a celebration of the festive season but also a boost to the local economy. It attracts visitors from near and far, with many coach trips specifically organised for the market. This increased footfall benefits local businesses, helping to make the Christmas season a prosperous one for the town.

For the most up-to-date information on event timings and any potential changes due to weather conditions, visitors are advised to check the "Whitby Christmas Festival" Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082567675121652