Ringwood is preparing to launch the festive season in style later this month with its annual Ringwood Winter ‘Wanderland’ series of activities.
Starting with the flagship event on Sunday, November 26, the Wanderland brings people into Ringwood Town Centre to see the hugely popular town lights, Christmas tree, Christmas windows and support the wonderful local shops, businesses and community organisations.
The free event, organised by Ringwood Town Council, promises to be even bigger this year with activities taking place in the Market Place, Gateway Square, the High Street and Southampton Road.
Festivities begin at 11.30am and includes a market with over 70 stalls stretching down the High Street and Market Place. Stalls include local arts and crafts, produce, gifts and charity stalls plus hot food and drink including mulled wine, Yorkshire pudding wraps, bratwurst and stone baked pizza.
A charity bar, run by the Ringwood and District Roundtable will be positioned in the Market Place where there will also be live entertainment from 1:30pm.
A small fair will entertain younger children, Ringwood and Burley Band are performing on the High Street as well as walkabout entertainment from Steamship Circus.
Following on from its successful run last year, a mini ‘Polar Express’ will provide rides down Southampton Road.
The miniature steam train is operated by Chuffley Light Railway and the station will be located in Fridays Cross. Children can have a go at free Circus Skills in Gateway Square where there will also be performances from a local choir.
Santa will be in his grotto from noon in of Ringwood Gateway. Tickets, which are £5 will be sold in advance from the Town Council offices. Santa will also appear in two parades.
The first leaves the town centre car parks at 11:30am. He will drop into The Furlong Shopping Centre and make his way around the town centre. The second parade leaves at 5:45pm and he will arrive for 6pm in the Market Place for the all-important switching on of the Christmas Lights.
Christmas Window Competition
The Christmas Window Competition opens on November 27.
This year there are 32 entries and members of the public are invited to ‘wander’ around the town and vote for their favourite. The map will be available on the town council website.
For more information about the event including the programme, grotto or window competition go to ringwood.gov.uk/events/ringwood-winter-wanderland/
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