It's official — Christmas is here! See our gallery of pictures from yesterday's Newark lights switch-on
Newark Market Place was heaving for when the town's Christmas lights were switched on to the accompaniment of fireworks yesterday (Sunday).
The afternoon's entertainment and the Christmas market that accompanied it were both described as a triumph.
The action began at 11am when the Christmas market and funfair opened.
There were performances during the day by school choirs, the Shaw Mind Foundation Community Choir, YMCA Digital — The School of Peculiar Music, Newark band The Business, Georgie Hanson Band, The Hot Dog Brass Band, Zuzka — The Greatest Showgirl, The Tenor — Joshua Daniel.
The free event, brought to Newark by the town council and LHG, and compered by Radio Newark, attracted a crowd of several thousand people into the market place.
Town council clerk Alan Mellor said he believed there was a record attendance this year.
"The atmosphere was great. There was a real buzz about the whole thing," said Mr Mellor.
"We tried to provide a platform for for local people to showcase their talent, and that seemed to work.
"The change of layout in the market place — opening it up to get more people in —proved a success.
"The light canopy was replaced for this year, and looked spectacular."
A community carol concert inside Newark Parish Church immediately followed the switch-on.
There's a host of events still to come in the run-up to Christmas.
The parish church is the venue for the annual Christmas Tree Festival, in which community groups, organisations and charities can decorate trees that then go on show.
The festival runs from December 6 to 13 with a service and mulled wine at 5pm on the 13th.
Saturday, December 8, sees the Christmas Craft Fayre in the market place, complete with entertainment.
The 14th and 15th sees the Newark Christmas Market and Winter Feast, featuring music, street entertainment, festive food and drink, gifts and crafts, from 10am to 4pm.
December 22 is the Newark Christmas Cracker Market, again featuring music, entertainment, gifts and crafts.
There will be a Christingle service at the parish church on Christmas Eve at 5pm.
And for lovers of pantomime, Sleeping Beauty is on at the Newark Palace Theatre from December 10 to January 4.
Go to www.palacenewark.com for more details.
Mr Mellor said: "There's so much going on to encourage people into Newark this Christmas.
"The town centre looks really festive.
"Come and enjoy everything that Newark has to offer."
It is free to park in any district council-managed carpark on the four Sundays before Christmas.
READ MORE:
Ladies from Fosse Way Crossfit saddle up to raise money for Newark Women's Aid refuge
Talking about one of the Civil War's most successful but least-known generals
