Festive events set to bring people into town

In collaboration with local shops and business, Harborough District Council is hosting its Christmas lights switch on event in The Square in Market Harborough on Friday 19 November 2021 from 4pm with the switch on from 6pm. The Christmas tree, which will be lit up on the night, is once again being kindly provided by Market Harborough Building Society. There will also be festive illuminations lighting up Market Harborough in The Square, Church Street and on The Symington Building in Adam and Eve Street.

The shops will also be opening late that night and a Christmas Food and Drink Fayre will be running in The Square and Commons car park all day from 10am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 19, 20, 21 November 2021. There will be a wonderful selection of food and drink traders on The Square; plus a fantastic fully licensed bar housed inside a marquee, where people can sit and enjoy the fayre.

Lutterworth's Christmas lights switch on event, run by Lutterworth Town Council, will take place on Friday 26 November from 6pm-8pm, with the switch on and fireworks at 7.30pm. It will include all the Christmas favourites such as Santa's grotto, Lutterworth Town Band, the fun fair, mulled wine, a hog roast and lots to keep the family entertained.

As a gesture of support for these special Christmas events, Harborough District Council has agreed to waive car parking charges for these events, from 4pm onwards.

Parking charges will also be waived from 4pm on Friday 3 December 2021 to support the organisers of the independently-run Market Harborough Christmas Fayre, which runs on that day from 5pm-9pm.

The Council said it was unable to suspend parking charges on Saturdays in December, as it has in the previous six years, due to the significant loss of income suffered during the coronavirus pandemic; however parking continues to be free, all day on Sundays, public holidays and for three hours for blue-badge holders. There are also a number of pop-and-shop bays offering 30 mins free parking.

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We have worked very hard to provide Christmas events in what has been a challenging year financially for the Council and local businesses. We’ve taken an innovative approach, and worked closely with retailers, and I hope people enjoy the build-up to the festive season and come along to support our town centres.”