Christmas is coming to Nairn with planning for the annual lights switch on event well underway.
The extravaganza, which will take place on Saturday, November 29 will incorporate two markets, the chance to ceilidh dance on the Brae, stage entertainment, a Santa’s grotto, huskies, a circus skills workshop, fire show and the Nairn Pipe Band.
A special call is being made to businesses and children to get involved in the event with each group being given their own special ways of taking part in the celebration.
Children have been invited by Nairn BID, which is organising the event, to make a Christmas decoration to be in with a chance of turning on the lights with Father Christmas.
Meanwhile, businesses in Nairn are being called upon to decorate their windows and shop fronts to ensure the town is a winter wonderland for the big day and to take a stall, spill out onto the street or create a special festive offer for the day.
Lucy Harding, manager of Nairn BID said: “Once again we are delighted to be working with local businesses, suppliers and the community to ensure that Nairn has a great Christmas light switch on and that we encourage people into our town centre.
“The planning is well underway, and the team are liaising with the hundreds of people who make it an extraordinary day. There is a jam-packed schedule with something on from the minute Santa officially opens the event at 10am till the lights go on at 4pm. We are delighted to be welcoming back the Ceilidh on the Brae and there will be entertainment and stalls right along the High Street, up to Academical Square and along Leopold Street. As well as the festive fun on the High Street, there is also an indoor market in the Nairn Community & Arts Centre too.”
Nairn BID works with local businesses and the community with the aim of making Nairn a great place to visit and shop and maintaining it as an attractive place to do business.
Last year’s Christmas event attracted over 9500 people which was a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.
“The data shows that the events do drive footfall to the town,” said Lucy, “with increased footfall, it’s a great opportunity for the businesses to get involved and showcase what they have on offer. Nairn has an abundance of great shops, businesses and boutiques so there really is no need to look any further than our great town for all your Christmas gifts and essentials.”
Children entering the bauble competition must submit their entries to the Nairn Community & Arts Centre by November 26 whilst the shop fronts and windows will be judged week beginning Monday, November 17.
The judges for the windows are STV’s Nicola McAlley and local stylist Amanda Latham.
“The Christmas decoration competition is always popular and it’s great to see all the creations from the kids,” explained Lucy. “The bauble competition really is a big deal as by entering you are getting the chance to help Santa press the big red button to switch on the town’s Christmas lights. We would also like to thank Nicola McAlley and Amanda Latham for being our ‘window’ judges this year. It’s not an easy task as our businesses really do pull out all the stops. The winner of this contest will be announced at the Countdown to Christmas event.”
Full details and timings of the event schedule will be available on the Nairn BID website www.nairnconnects.com
