Countdown to Christmas in Oldham town centre
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Looking for something festive to do in Oldham, with the family this year?
Join the Oldham town centre team for their annual Christmas Lights Switch-On show and firework display, meet Santa and his real reindeers as they parade through the town and listen to the traditional sounds of Christmas with their annual brass band festival. This programme
of events will keep the whole family entertained over the festive period.
Santa’s Reindeer Parade Saturday
10 November, 1–3.30pm (Parade starts at 1pm)
Santa’s coming to town… and he’s bringing his reindeer with him. The theme of this year’s parade is ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and is based around the much-loved poem by Clement Clarke Moore.A giant winter parade features over 200 participants from local community and arts groups who have been busy for months creating wonderful costumes and parade structures.
There will be music from Dobcross Silver Band, Oldham Scottish Pipe Band and mini-musicians of the future from the Amazing Plastic Street Band. Don’t forget to look out for the main man himself and his real reindeer on the day too.The parade starts and ends in Parliament Square, with live entertainment until 3.30pm.
Oldham Christmas Lights
Switch-On Sunday 18 November, 1–6pm, free
Get ready for an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience as we switch on Oldham’s Christmas lights.
The fun starts in Parliament Square when you can meet TV favourites Tiny and Small from The Clangers at intervals throughout the day (1pm, 2pm and 3pm). Then join them at Tommyfield Market from 5pm for the big switch-on show and be amazed by the dazzling space age LED robotic dancers from Cirque Bijou.
Oldham Theatre Workshop will also be making an appearance on the night too with a very special other-worldly performance to mark the end of their 50th anniversary celebrations. A fantastic firework display will then light-up the night sky above the town centre – finishing the evening off with a bang.
Brass Monkeys
Saturday 8 December, 11am–4pm
Enjoy traditional music and funky festive sounds at the annual winter brass band festival.
See the world famous Foden’s Band and the acclaimed Fairey Band play alongside Manchester’s newest funk brass ensemble Twisted Tubes.
An array of brilliant local brass bands from across Oldham and Saddleworth will also be performing classic festive songs throughout the day.
Christmas Tree Festival
Friday 7 December to Sunday 16 December
Oldham Parish Church, Oldham
This tree-mendous annual festival is back with more than 50 individually decorated trees for you to browse and get inspiration from. Don’t forget, the café will be open throughout the festival so you can warm up with a cuppa.
Opening times:
Friday 7 December, 7pm
(opening launch)
Saturday 8 December, 9.30am–4pm Sunday 9 December, 12noon–4pm Monday 10 to Friday 14 December, 10am–4pm
Saturday 16 December, 12noon–3.30pm
Christmas Fun at Spindles Town Square
(Ages 3 to 10)
Every Saturday from Saturday 24 November to Saturday 15 December, 11am–3pm, free
Head over to Spindles Town Square for free Christmas Fun. Over the festive period there will be seasonal characters making special appearances, Christmas crafts, face painting and balloon modelling.You will even be able to create your own Christmas card using green screen images or if you need to relax you can sit back and enjoy festive favourites with The Small Cinema.
www.spindlestownsquare.com Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, George Street, Oldham, OL1 1HD
Santa’s Grotto
Saturday 10 November to Monday 24 December
Visit Santa in his Grotto at Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre and let him know what you would like this Christmas.
For a full list of times and dates, visit www.spindlestownsquare.com
Oldham Music Centre The Music Centre Junior Christmas Festival
(All ages)
Wednesday 5 December, 7pm Adults £6, Concessions £3, Family (2+2) £15
Once again the Oldham Music Centre is proud to present a festive concert given by its youngest musicians. The show will feature bands, choirs and orchestras performing well known, as well as new,music for the season.
T: 0161 770 5660
E: musicservice@oldham.gov.uk The Queen Elizabeth Hall,West Street, Oldham,OL1 1QJ
The Music Centre Senior Christmas Festival
(All ages)
Sunday 9 December, 3pm Adults £8, Concessions £5, Family (2+2) £21
Once again the Music Centre’s Christmas Festival is back to showcase the amazing talent of Oldham’s most accomplished young musicians in a programme of seasonal favourites. A great way to start your family’s festive celebrations.
T: 0161 770 5660
E: musicservice@oldham.gov.uk The Queen Elizabeth Hall,West Street, Oldham,OL1 1QJ
Find your local Christmas Lights Switch-On events
Celebrate the countdown to Christmas with all the family at your local Christmas lights switch-on, with some family favourites and live entertainment for all the family to enjoy. Don’t forget to post your pictures on social medial using the hashtag #LoveOldham.
Failsworth
Friday 23 November, 7pm
Enjoy family entertainment throughout the night and watch as the special guest turns on the lights.
Failsworth Pole, Oldham, M35 9PB
Chadderton
Friday 30 November, 6.30pm
A Christmas market will take place in the Chadderton Town Hall Ballroom followed by the Christmas Lights switch-on. There will also beentertainment from school choirs and Chadderton band on the night.
Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Oldham, OL9 6PP
Shaw and Crompton Saturday 1 December, 3–6pm
Get in the festive spirit with a Christmas market complete with games and entertainment for children, including pony rides, popular mascots and Santa’s grotto.
Market Street, Shaw, OL2 8NH
Saddleworth Santa Dash
and Winter Wonderland (All the family)
Saturday 1 December, 2.30–6pm Registration is from 12noon.
The Dash starts at 2.30pm Adults £12 and children aged 5–17 £5
Take part in a 2km or 5km Santa Dash in Uppermill this winter.This fun annual event will be followed by a parade, where you’ll get a glimpse of Santa, a grand switch-on with carols in front of the tree and a magical firework display to end the evening.
www.facebook.com/saddleworthRT Uppermill Square, Saddleworth
FOR A FULL LISTING OF THE SADDLEWORTH VILLAGES LIGHT SWITCH-EVENTS THEN PLEASE GO TO PAGE 68 in The Magazine.
Arts and Theatre Cinderella
(Ages 3+)
Saturday 10 November 2018 to Saturday 12 January 2019
Performances at 10.15am, 2.15pm and 7.30pm, £13.50–£22.50
Oldham Coliseum Theatre is famous for its excellent traditional pantomime and Cinderella is one of the nation’s
Oldham feature
favourites. Each year, the Coliseum serves up the perfect panto recipe – excellent actors, singers and dancers dishing out the very best in festive traditional fun that’s great for kids and not-so-grown-up grown-ups.
www.coliseum.org.uk
Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Fairbottom Street, Oldham, OL1 3SW
Babushka – The Russian Mother Christmas
(Ages 2–10)
Sunday 23 and Monday 24 December, 12.30pm and 3pm, tickets from £10.50
It’s Christmas and Babushka is visited by three Kings following a star, will she join them on their adventure or stay at home cleaning? Great fun for the whole family this Christmas.
www.hardgraft.co.uk
Uppermill Civic Hall, Lee Street, OL3 6AE
