Christmas lights set to kick of a festivities in Coventry
With Christmas just around the corner, Coventry is setting up flamboyantly for the holiday season. The famous Christmas lights will be turned on this Monday, the 13th of November. Soon after that, the annual Coventry Christmas Market will be open to the public from the 18th. This year will embrace the spirit of Christmas better than ever as there will be a 100 foot Ferris wheel!
Credits - Sam Clawley
The grand celebrations start on the Monday evening with the popular band Stray Santa’s performing all along Broadgate accompanied by illuminated angles and bouncing elves. Freeman Dance, one of the most successful dance schools in the UK, will be performing for 10 minutes as well. The excitement doesn’t stop there as the residential magical fairy will fly across the crowd to light up the entire city centre as well as the Christmas tree.
The Christmas market will be open every day and will be situated all around the city centre. Christmas delicacies will be omnipresent with multiple shops selling Bratwursts, corn dogs and mulled wine. Desserts like Yorkshire pudding, crepes and candied nuts will also be aplenty!
Credits - Sam Clawley
We spoke to John Hogan, the city events manager at Coventry city council, and asked him what the plans for the Christmas period in the city centre are, he responded: "This year Coventry residents have a magical Christmas Lights Switch On event to enjoy, plus a spectacular big wheel and Christmas market.”
He then went on to explain what will be happening at the Christmas lights show on Monday and when you should arrive, “The free Christmas Lights Switch On is taking place on Monday 13 November in Broadgate and starts at 5:30pm. A Christmas fairy will be switching on the lights and swooping above the crowd scattering magic dust”.
Credits - Samuel Clawley
Then he revealed the news we all want to know, when the markets and big wheel open up: The big wheel and Christmas market open on Saturday 18 November in Broadgate. “Those riding the wheel will see stunning views of the city's skyline. Our three spires will be visible from the top of the wheel and will be floodlit from dusk."
After hearing the news of all of the fun things Coventry will have to offer over the festive period, we went out and asked locals what the thought of the new christms lights coming to Coventry.
18-year-old Gemma said; “Im looking forward to the food, it looks a lot nicer than it normally does, like they (the council) have made and effort this year”. After being informed of the feris wheel she then went on to say; “You will see me onboard”.
Speaking to 22-year-old Aisha she said; “ive never actually been to a Christmas market before so for me it is actually very exiting as i am not really sure what to expect from it”.
With excitement from the council as well as obvious excitement from the locals the Coventry lights and Christmas markets are sure to be a hit this year