Aldershot's festive season gets in full swing

Visitors to Aldershot will be treated to a bumper schedule of festive events in the town centre this December.

There will be plenty of free events and activities to help residents and shoppers get into the Christmas spirit in the run-up to the big day, including Aldershot's very own live nativity, festive carol concerts, a community festival and free parking.

The events are being led by the residents of the Aldershot Community Together group, who are working with Rushmoor Borough Council to organise masses of merriment in Aldershot town centre in the countdown to Christmas.

The fun starts on Saturday 8 December when the Aldershot Community Christmas Festival will be sprinkling festive cheer around the town from 10am to 3pm.  The festivities include a Christmas craft fayre and community stalls, plus a full programme of live music and entertainment on a stage in Union Street including Jack Mason.  Look out for street theatre from Rhubarb Theatre, plus sand art, free face painting, free children's crafts, Christmas characters and sparkling snow machines.  The Wellington shopping centre will also have a giant snow globe with festive photo opportunities and a chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto.

A week later on Saturday 15 December (from 10am-3pm) visitors can follow Mary on her journey to Bethlehem and meet shepherds, innkeepers and wise men along the way as local residents perform at the town's first ever Aldershot Nativity Live! The nativity play will take place at 11am and 1pm, starting from the top of Union Street and will feature real donkeys. 

Also on the day, visitors can sing along with local festive bands and enjoy hot drinks with the Karuna Coffee team.  There will also be donkey rides for children, free face painting and craft activities.

Councillor Liz Corps, Events and Civic Pride Cabinet Champion at Rushmoor Borough Council, said: "Aldershot has a packed calendar of events bringing festive cheer to the town centre over Christmas, so please come along to support your town and it's traders."

Jess Hannington from the Aldershot Community Together group who are working with the council to organise all the events added: "We are really excited this year to bring some great events to Aldershot town centre for Christmas. Everyone has been working hard alongside the council to think of fun, exciting and different things for everyone to enjoy and we're really happy with what has been planned in the weeks running up to Christmas. We are particularly excited for Aldershot's first live street nativity, a lot of work has gone on behind the scenes and it's great to see so many getting involved. We always need more hands though, so if anyone wants to join us, they are more than welcome!"

On Wednesday 19 December from 6.30pm to 7.15pm, North Town will be hosting a carol concert around the Christmas tree in North Lane. There's sing-a-long carols with Cactus Brass, free hot drinks and mince pies, free children's crafts and even a visit from Father Christmas.

Rounding off Aldershot's festivities, the magical Carols in the Bandstand evening hosted by Aldershot Churches Together takes place on Saturday 22 December from 5pm to 6.30pm. The concert features a host of seasonal songs from local choirs and performers, plus free hot drinks and refreshments provide by Karuna Coffee.

To encourage visitors to shop locally and support their town centres, Rushmoor Borough Council will also be offering free parking on Saturday 15 December and Sunday 9, 16 and 23 December in most council car parks across Aldershot, Farnborough and North Camp.