A new festival that will bring together the best of Bournville at Christmas, including the traditional lights switch-on and a new lantern procession, will take place next month.
The Bournville Christmas Festival, organised by a host of community organisations and volunteers, will take place on Saturday 2nd December on and around Bournville Village Green.
Starting at 2pm, it will begin with Father Christmas arriving on the Green on his sleigh.
This will be followed by an official opening from special guest Duncan Cadbury, followed by the sound of the famous Carillon bells which are the largest in Britain.
Other attractions will include lantern making, a festive market, Christmas tree decoration / wreath making, and performances from choirs and music groups.
There will also be the chance for families to take a snap of themselves creating their own nativity scene, tours of the Carillon, street food and a Santa’s grotto.
The event will culminate with a lantern procession and the much-loved Christmas tree lights switch-on at 6pm, followed by music from Birmingham Rock School.
Bournville Village Trust, Bournville Village Council, Busy Parents Network, the Carillon and Rest House, the Pavilion Christian Community, Selly Manor Museum and St Francis Church have all come together to put on the event.
Jess Allan, Community Development Manager at Bournville Village Trust, said: “We are so excited to bring all the best bits of Christmas in Bournville together for the first time.
“We know just what a special time it is in the village and we wanted to create an event that was memorable and celebrated the traditional and the new.
“There will be something for everyone and we hope it will be a very special day to remember.”
Geoff Davis, from Bournville Village Council, said: “Volunteers from the Council have been organising the lights-switch on for many years now and it regularly attracts upwards of 500 people.
“We are very pleased that it will be a part of this new and special Festival and that we have been able to work with all the other organisations in the village to put the event on.”
Entry to the Festival is free although some activities may incur a small charge or donation, which will be advertised at participating venues.
For more information about the event, including a copy of the Festival programme, please visit Bournville Village Trust’s website – bvt.org.uk/our-communities/bournville-village-christmas-festival