Three free festive events will take place in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone High Streets this November and December, from Brentwood Connected, the Business Improvement District (BID), funded by town centre businesses in the three town centres, and supported by Brentwood Borough Council.
On Saturday 22 November from 12-6pm, Lighting Up Brentwood will take place in Brentwood High Street. The much-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on event will be delivered in partnership by Brentwood Connected and Brentwood Borough Council, with live performances across multiple stages, market stalls, food, drinks, gifts, funfair rides, festive walkabout acts and entertainment. The Giant Christmas Bauble, funded by businesses through Brentwood Connected, will also return to the Chapel Ruins, along with a Santa’s Grotto organised by the Rotary Club of Brentwood and free face painting. The event begins with a Santa Parade, while the Christmas lights switch on will take place at 5pm. Lighting Up Brentwood is free entry for all.
The Ingatestone Festive Fair is on Sunday 7 December (12-6pm) with free fun for all the family. Festive activities will include entertainment and walkabout acts, live music performances, 25+ traditional market stalls selling food, gifts and a wide selection of handmade items, located in the outdoor space at The Bell pub, with stalls elsewhere on the High Street. There will also be food, drink and festive fun from Ingatestone businesses, along with a one-day-only Christmas Toy Trail in business windows, and free face painting. An indoor community market with a Santa’s Grotto will take place at the Ingatestone Community Centre on the same day.
Festive Shenfield will return this year on Sunday 14 December (12-6pm) with festive activities, entertainment, walkabout acts, live music performances, funfair rides, traditional market stalls, a Santa’s Grotto sponsored by Rainer Hughes, free face painting, along with food, drink and festive fun from the wide range of businesses in Hutton Road, Shenfield. Entry for this, and other Brentwood Connected festive events, is totally free.
All three Brentwood Connected Christmas events are supported by Brentwood Borough Council and sponsored by the Brentwood branches of Razzamataz Theatre Schools and Stagecoach.
Kaye Thurgood, Chair of the Brentwood Business Partnership (BBP), the advisory board of Brentwood Connected, and owner of Sincerely Yours in Shenfield, said, “Working in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council, we’re delighted to be hosting three big Christmas events for families this year, where people can support local, celebrate our town centres, and enjoy the festive season with us. As always, our events are led by businesses, and funded by businesses, to bring the community together and showcase our wonderful Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone High Streets.”
Councillor Dr Tim Barrett, Brentwood Borough Council’s Chair of Housing, Health and Community Committee, said “The festive season is fast approaching, and it’s always an exciting time in Brentwood with so much to enjoy. These Christmas events are a brilliant way to bring our high streets to life and celebrate the season with friends and family. With the Mayor of Brentwood officially switching on the Christmas lights to mark the start of the festive season, and a programme packed with live music, markets, Santa’s Grotto and family fun, there’s something for everyone. It’s always a pleasure to work with Brentwood Connected and our local businesses to help spread festive cheer and encourage people to enjoy everything Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone have to offer.”
Brentwood Connected is a unique Business Improvement District (BID) supporting the borough’s three high streets and funded by town centre businesses to improve the experience of residents, visitors, employees and businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. For information about Brentwood Connected, including events listings, business directories, and local information, visit brentwoodconnected.co.uk.
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