Christmas in Chorley

The countdown to Christmas has begun and Chorley is all set to welcome in the 2016 festive season with plenty of events, attractions and entertainment for the whole family including a fantastically frozen real ice rink.

First up, winner of The Voice UK and local singing sensation, Kevin Simm, will get Chorley’s Christmas party well and truly started with the big Christmas lights switch on from 3pm on Saturday 19 November including a spectacular finale to the evening that will see the town hall clock tower lit with an amazing firework show just after 5pm.

On the day of the switch on there will be a Christmas market along Fazakerley Street and the Rock FM stage will be on Market Street with a whole host of amazing performers from Chorley Live and across the region before Kevin Simm takes to the stage for a live performance.

The night will come to a spectacular end at around 5pm with the big countdown and fireworks as the Christmas lights are turned on to transform Chorley into a sparkly winter wonderland.

One of Astley’s most popular events is back bigger, brighter and better than ever as the jewel in Chorley’s crown is once again transformed with brilliant LED spotlights and special performances from Spark! a magical live music, movement and lighting spectacular in which

mysterious characters composed of light and sound transform the landscape around them.

Astley Hall will be joining in Chorley’s Christmas celebrations with the return of the special event Astley Illuminated on Saturday 26 November.

Between 5pm and 10pm, people will be able to see and photograph the historic house beautifully lit inside and out with magnificent LED spotlights and over 200 candles. Plus, this year Spark! the amazing illuminated, high-impact drumming band that combines dynamic choreography, playful characters and colourful lighting design, will perform a number of mesmerising and not-to-be-missed shows right outside Astley Hall.

Cafe Ambio will be open serving delicious hot food and drink and the Walled Garden and various trees in the park will be lit as part of the event. Chorley Council is inviting people to come and view the spectacle as visitors get a rare opportunity to see Astley Hall lit in dramatic lighting and brought to life with dramatic, illuminated music and performance from one of the country’s best theatrical acts, Spark!

Real ice skating in Chorley’s Winter Wonderland – Friday 9 December – Sunday 8 January

Get your skates on this Christmas and glide, pirouette and whirl across Chorley’s first ever real ice rink as part of our fantastically festive winter wonderland on the Flat Iron, sponsored by Market Walk, Botany Bay and FI Real Estate Management.

For the very first time, we’re bringing a 60ft by 40ft real ice rink to Chorley with the whole family invited to enjoy a fantastic day out in Chorley’s winter wonderland. So get all your friends together, get your skates and join us for lots of fun skating sessions with music, lights, a disco ball and more. Plus the ice rink is under cover so there’s no need to worry about the weather.

Chorley’s winter wonderland will also have some Christmas market stalls selling festive food, drink and crafts, a covered seating area for people to sit back and enjoy their purchases or wait for family and friends on the real ice rink and some small fairground rides to keep the younger ones entertained.

Chorley’s real ice rink will be open from Friday 9 December until Sunday 8 January 2017 including:
• 12 noon until 6pm Monday to Thursday,
• 12 noon until 9pm on Fridays,
• 10am until 9pm on Saturday and
• 10am until 6pm on Sunday.

For the first hour on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, we will be offering Cub Club, a parent and young child (under 5s) ice skating session, which offers a great introduction to ice skating. The price for this session is only £2.50 per person.

Tickets for a one hour skating session can be purchased at the entrance to Chorley’s real ice rink and are priced:
• £6 for adults,
• £3 for children (aged 14 and under) and senior citizens, and
• £15 for a family ticket (two adults and two children)
• Time credits are accepted for this attraction but spaces are limited to five time credit users every hour.

In addition, we will also offering special event theme days so please check back here for more information.

Chorley’s Santa Express – From Saturday 3 December – Sunday 18 December
Chorley’s Santa Express is back to whisk families on a magical journey from Chorley town centre through Astley Park to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall.

The Santa Express will be running between 9.30am and 4pm every Saturday and Sunday in December from Saturday 3 December until Sunday 18 December to take families to meet Father Christmas as he takes up residence in Astley Hall’s Inlaid Room in the run up to Christmas.

Every child who meets Father Christmas will receive a special Christmas gift and there will be some festive face painting and arts and crafts in Astley Farmhouse plus donkey rides outside the Coach House.

Tickets to take a ride on Chorley’s Santa Express to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall must be purchased in advance here. http://chorley.gov.uk/news/Pages/Santa-Express-Booking.aspx Simply click on the date you wish to meet Santa.

The tickets are priced:
• £7 for children (aged 12 and under) and
• £3 for adults and various time slots are available on all six dates.

Tickets must be purchased in advance online and are subject to an Eventbrite booking fee. Unfortunately, tickets cannot be purchased on the day.

If you don’t wish to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall but would like to simply take a ride on Chorley’s Santa Express between Chorley town centre and Astley Hall, you can pay on the day at the land train stop on Union Street or Astley Hall at £3 for children and £3 for adults.

Chorley’s Christmas crackers

If all those festive attractions don’t manage to keep you busy, Chorley has got plenty more entertainment planned for the whole family while you get your Christmas shopping done including:

Chorley’s Christmas pantomime – Cinderella at 1.30pm the Town Hall on Saturday 26 November. Book your tickets here soon.

Chorley’s Christmas Saturdays with festive music from brass bands and choirs across the town centre every Saturday in the run up to Christmas as well as arts and crafts with the Creation Station and Christmas face painting 10am – 4pm in Market Walk.

Chorley’s Christmas market – part of the Winter Wonderland with food and drink stalls and a festive seating area to take a well-earned rest while you do the Christmas shopping.

Father Christmas’ post box – don’t forget to write your list and letter to Santa and post it in his very special post box located in the centre of Market Walk. Plus listen out for a special message from him as you post it!

Chorley town centre car parks are FREE every Saturday after 1pm, all day Sunday and every day after 5pm. Plus, look out for longer opening hours in Market Walk and other shops across the town centre in the week before Christmas. For more information on Chorley town centre car parks click on the useful links.