Countdown to Folkestone Festivities

Folkestone Town centre shops and stores have teamed up to provide extra fun and spectacle for this year's festive season celebrations in Folkestone. Starting on Friday, November 23, the events programme is all set to attract and entertain residents and visitors of all ages to the Precinct shopping area.

An ice rink, snow machine, snowboard simulator and double deck disco are among innovations, with parades, carol and band concerts, circus workshop, children's fairground rides and visits from Father Christmas and pantomime celebrities among highlights of Saturday events.

Organised by Folkestone Town Centre Management, this year's festivities are sponsored by Bouverie Place Shopping Centre, Boots the Chemists, Debenhams and Folkestone Town Council.

Said organiser Barbara Witham: "The opening of the Bouverie Place shopping centre will bring in new supporters and extra events, and we are looking forward to entertaining bumper crowds in the town centre. There will be plenty for everyone to enjoy, and we hope that shops, restaurants and other venues will enter into the spirit of the occasion by offering their own special events and entertainment during the next few weeks".

WHAT'S ON, WHERE AND WHEN

Friday, November 23

• Christmas lights switch-on by celebrity with Mr Greedy and cast of Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime in attendance, The Precinct, 5 pm.
• Ice rink, snow machine and music, outside Debenhams, 1pm - 7pm.
• Mr Greedy signs books at Waterstones, Sandgate Road, 3 - 5 pm.

Saturday, November 24

• Ice rink, music and snow, outside Debenhams, 10am - 4 pm.
• Father Christmas and reindeer lead parade from Leas Cliff Hall to the Precinct, 11 am. Procession will include Sea Cadets Band, Miss Folkestone, Folkestone Angels Majorettes and the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk. Father Christmas will then greet customers at Debenhams, where he will be in residence throughout December. Today, his reindeer will stay in the town centre until 3 pm.

Saturday, December 1

• Story-telling and crafts tent, 10am - 4 pm
• Salvation Army band, 10 - noon.
• Double deck disco, with games and prizes, 12 - 2 pm.
• Photo sessions with pantomime character, 1 - 2 pm
• Children's fairground rides, 10am - 4pm

Saturday, December 8

• Christmas carols with Salvation Army band, 10am - noon.
• Story-telling and crafts tent, 10am - 4 pm.
• Scotty's Circus workshop, 10am - 1 pm
• Children's fairground rides, 10am - 4 pm
• Photo sessions with pantomime character, 1 - 2 pm.
• Schools' carol competition, Rendezvous Street, with £50 and trophy for the winner, 2 pm
• Double deck disco, with games and prizes, 12 - 2 pm

Saturday, December 15

• Children's fairground rides, 10am - 4pm
• Carols with Salvation Army band, 10am - noon.
• Photo sessions with pantomime character, 1 - 2 pm.

Saturday, December 22

• Carols with Salvation Army band, 10 am - noon.
• Children's fairground rides, 10am - 4pm
• Youth 2000 Band, 12 - 2pm.
• Photo sessions with pantomime character, 1 - 2 pm.

Throughout December

• Father Christmas at Debenhams.
• Treasure hunt with Jack and the Beanstalk theme. Entry forms from Leas Cliff Hall, Ashley Design Jewellers, Rendezvous Street, and Folkestone Town Centre Management, 103 Sandgate Road.
• Schools' painting competition (open to all Shepway primary schools, with prizes for age categories). Entries will be displayed at the Leas Cliff Hall, from December 20 until January 6.

For the latest what's on, when and where information, call 01303 850522 or log on to www.discoverfolkestone.co.uk