Article date: 11 November 2022

Featuring a whole host of local talented performers, both shows will be headlined once again by multi-award-winning band, Boomin, whose special blend of big covers and festive hits went down a treat last year, with popular singer-songwriter, Jack Bennett, also playing at both events.

That’s not everything. An array of festive characters will be around to greet visitors – while funfair rides, arts and crafts activities, face painting and a free ice rink will add to the occasion.

With the overall aim of Christmas light switch-on events bringing everyone together to celebrate the very best of the borough, there will be appearances from the Pride of St Helens winner and local schools, with cast members from St Helens Theatre Royal’s Cinderella and representatives from four-in-a-row Super League Grand Final winners, Saints, set for the St Helens show.

Over the coming weeks, a number of Christmas trees will be installed in all wards around the borough.

With major regeneration and infrastructure projects ongoing and earmarked for the borough, key organisation and companies have kindly sponsored the cost of town centre trees – as well as new tree lights.

•  English Cities Fund, the council’s regeneration partner for Earlestown and St Helens town centres

•  Balfour Beatty, contractor of the Parkside Link Road scheme

•  City Fibre who are currently carrying out works as part of a £30m investment to bring full fibre connectivity within reach of almost every home and business in St Helens Borough

Councillor Anthony Burns, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said: “Our annual town centre Christmas lights switch on events give a platform to the many talented individuals and groups we have here to show off the very best of the borough over a two-day celebration as we begin the countdown to Christmas.

“This Christmas we’re really building on the successes and joy we saw last year. Despite the storms which prompted some late rescheduling, hundreds of local families turned out to see the fantastic line-up of performances – so if the reaction is anything like that, we’re certainly in for a good time.

“While visiting our town centres for these events, be sure to show your support to local businesses if you can and let’s make Christmas 2022 one to remember.”

Councillor Richard McCauley, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, added: “We know residents’ expectations when it comes to decorating our town centres up at Christmas which is all part of the festive experience and supports the local economy – but with funding scarce, yet demand for essential services rising, the council can’t always foot the bill so it’s great to have the support of the English Cities Fund, Balfour Beatty and City Fibre.

“My thanks go out to them for helping us spread some Christmas cheer and their contribution through the projects they are involved in which will all benefit our borough.”

The St Helens town centre Christmas lights switch-on will be held in Church Square on Saturday 26 November, followed by the Earlestown switch-on the day after (Sunday 27 November) with both events getting underway at 12:00pm.

Christmas lights will also be switched on in other area across the borough.

Confirmed events to date include:

Rainhill, Houghton Street – 27 November, 4:30pm

Bold, Four Acre Shopping Centre – 28 November, 4:30pm

Moss Bank, Elliot’s Field – 30 November, 4:15pm

Haresfinch Park – 30 November, 5:30pm

Haydock, Haydock Library – 1 December, 6:30pm

Thatto Heath, Thatto Heath Road – 2 December, 4:30pm

Windle, Bleak Hill Primary School – 2 December, 2:00pm

Windle, Victoria Park – 3 December, 4:30pm

Rainford, Church Road – 3 December, 3:45pm

Newton-le-Willows, St Peter’s Church – 4 December, 5:00pm

Parr, the Concourse, Derbyshire Hill Road – 5 December, 4:00pm

Billinge, Millennium Garden – 9 December, 6:00pm

For event updates and to find out what else is happening across the borough this Christmas – including a Festive Fun event in Victoria Park on Saturday 3 December, featuring the annual Santa Dash and Santa and Reindeer visit – ‘like’ the What’s on in St Helens on Facebook page or follow @whatsonsthelens on Twitter.

For St Helens town centre parking, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/carparks