Christmas celebrations in Cardiff will have even more sparkle this year with the launch of an exciting new event called ‘Step Into Christmas’.
Step into the city centre on Thursday, November 10 between 4 -8pm and you will be immersed into a world filled with lights, music, magic and entertainment to herald the start of the festive season. Step Into Christmas will offer an action packed programme of dazzling entertainment for all the family set against the glittering spectacle of Cardiff’s Christmas lights.
A great reason to start your Christmas Shopping early while soaking up the unique atmosphere created in Cardiff as it comes to life after dark.
Entertainment will be city centre wide, including sites in Queen Street, The Hayes and around the Castle Quarter in High Street and St John Street.
Among the many free attractions that will astonish and amaze audiences are a spectacular giant puppet show, globe walking gymnastic elves, a festive fire show, dancing fairies, Santa and his team of six real reindeers and Bjorn the fantastically realistic, life-sized Polar Bear.
Children’s TV favourites Ben and Holly from The Little Kingdom will bring even more magic to the evening and will be on hand to meet and greet families throughout the evening. Brilliant, brassy band; the Red Hot Santa’s will belt out festive favourites from the band stand at High Street with fun, up-tempo band The sneakers and Victorian Carol Singers Baggywrinkle who will be dressed in traditional Victorian costume.
Step Into Christmas also heralds the opening of the Christmas Markets. St John Street, Working Street and the Hayes will be filled with traditional wooden chalets laden with hand-crafted Christmas gifts interspersed with irresistible seasonal food and drink. This year, due to popular demand, sees the return of the Christmas Grotto. Santa’s official Cardiff residence which this year is a beautifully festive wooden chalet will be based on Churchill Way and is open to good boys and girls everywhere.
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff Cllr Prof Delme Bowen will also officially switch on the Christmas Tree lights on in Queen Street.
Other city centre venues such as Cardiff Library and The Cardiff Story will be joining the party by staying open until 8pm.
Cardiff is a Capital for Shopping and has recently been named the 6th best shopping destination in the UK with a complete shopping offer from charming Edwardian and Victorian arcades to ultra-modern shopping centres.
Cardiff Council has worked closely with the Cardiff Retail Partnership to reflect this and to create a special event for all the family which marks the start of the festive season along with extended shopping hours in the centre.
Executive Member for Sport Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “We have changed how we mark the start of Christmas in the capital this year, so that more people can celebrate the start of the festive season and enjoy the atmosphere across the whole of the city centre.
“We believe the programme benefits both families and retailers in providing a night of top quality, free entertainment while also supporting the retailers, who during the current financial climate need our assistance in encouraging shoppers into the city.”
Cardiff Retail Partnership Chair Nicola Bennett, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Cardiff Council to produce an event that families can enjoy and that brings both residents and visitors to the heart of the retail centre.
“The Step into Christmas programme is city centre wide and ensures that retailers through the city centre benefit from this fantastic Christmas event.”
In order to make this an easily accessible and affordable event Cardiff Council will be offering free parking at Cardiff East Park and Ride site from 3pm based on a first come first served basis. The service that is usually £3 per car per day runs from Pentwyn Interchange to Dumfries Place via Newport Road.
Following Step Into Christmas, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland with Admiral Open Air Ice Rink will open on November 17. Now in its 11th year the festive favourite which is situated in Cardiff’s iconic Civic Centre will run up until 2nd January 2012.
For more information regarding Step into Christmas and Winter Wonderland visit www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com or for regular updates send your details to [email protected]
