Warming Up For Christmas 2024

Thatcham Town Centre is  Warming Up for Christmas with an exciting weekend of festive activities, with a  Christmas Lights Switch-On event, a special Christmas Market event plus a Santa Fun Run, and a Civic Carol Concert.

On Friday 6^th December, The festive fun begins at 5pm with stalls offering seasonal gifts, food, and refreshments. Entertainment starts at 5.30pm,  building up to the grand Christmas Lights Switch-On at 7.15pm.

This year’s theme is Victorian Christmas, and for the first time ever both Thatcham High Street and The Broadway will be closed to traffic to make room for even more attractions. Expect a magical evening with a dazzling display of lights, including a new lighting scheme for the Town Centre.  The night will feature live performances of stage entertainment with carol singers, dancers and roaming entertainment, including stilt walkers and a bubble making fairy plus a special appearance from Santa Claus and his sleigh himself thanks to Newbury Lions.

Once again, we can  guarantee that it will snow in Thatcham on this evening !

Confirmed on the main stage will be carol singing from Kennet School , Spurcroft School and St Marys Church Choirs;  dance with Sonia Brown and All Stars Theatre Academy. Completing the programme will be KATS with a sample of theatre from their festive production of Treasure Island whilst DJ Stop Start will keep everyone warm and dancing by playing music after the lights are switched on ! The Switch-On will be made by Mayor Suzanne Adamantos with a guest appearance form Santa Clause.

Thatcham High Street will be closed to traffic for the first time as well as Thatcham Broadway which will allow for a record number of  gift and food stalls from local community and business organisations and a festive atmosphere throughout. Kennet Radio will be providing a roadshow of festive sounds along the High Street which will also feature a Victorian style steam engines and hot roast chestnuts to link with the Victorian theme.

Starting at 10am on Saturday 7^th December, Warming up for Christmas continues with a special Christmas Market  which will take over Broadway. It’s the perfect place to find unique, locally sourced gifts while supporting Thatcham businesses. Entertainment will continue throughout the day, with performances taking place in front of the giant Christmas Tree.

On both days visitors will also be able to vote for their best Victorian style themed window displays, sponsored by Newbury Weekly News, as the towns retailers join in the festive atmosphere.+

‘Warming up for Christmas’, is sponsored by Tomato Energy and Newbury Building Society.  The Christmas Tree this year is sponsored by Xtrac.

Sunday 8^th December offers two wonderful events. During the day, the Rotary Club of Thatcham and District will host the Santa Fun Run, a joyful event for all ages. At 3pm, St Mary’s Church will hold the Thatcham Town Council Civic Carol Concert, a beautiful and traditional way to conclude the weekend’s festivities.

“We like to believe we host one of the best community lights switch-on events in West Berkshire. There’s so much happening on the Friday evening, and the entertainment will continue throughout the entire weekend! This year’s Christmas light switch-on will be bigger than ever, extending down the High Street as well as Thatcham Broadway. Plus, we have a brand-new Christmas light scheme, so we encourage everyone to come and be part of the celebration if you can” states Thatcham Town Council Mayor Councillor Suzanne Adamantos.