Darwen Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch On and Festive Markets

'Chistmas D:REAM'  As chart toppers set to turn on Darwen lights.

A jam-packed programme of family friendly local and professional performers will tke to the stage this year and all of this is free.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Darwen Town Council have teamed up with Crafty Vintage to ensure the 2022 event is a real Christmas cracker.  The packed programme will start at 10:00 with the opening of the festive market.  ​​​​​There, you can expect an enticing array of crafters, makers and collectors, all offering a huge selection of bespoke festive treasures and treats.  ​​​​​Plus there'll be a street food courtyard to tempt your taste buds, as well as Christmas cocktails, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

The markets, alongside the stalls in the Market Hall and surrounding shops, offer the perfect chance to do some Christmas shopping while supporting small businesses.  There'll also be an enchanting variety of free entertainment, including:

Father Christmas storytelling at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 in Darwen Market
Performances on the stage by talented local singers from Darwen School of Music and gifted dancers from Lancashire Dance Academy from 14:00.
An IceGlitz performance of The Nutcracker Dancing on Ice
The entertainment will be compered by acclaimed burlesque singer, Kiki Deville.

As the countdown to the lights nears, it'll be time for the headline act to take to the stag.  Chartoppers D:REAM first came to prominence with the euphoric single 'U R the Best Thing' in the summer of 1992, an anthemic piano-house tune remixed by Sasha was Pete Tong's Essential Tune of 1992.  'Things Can Only Get Better' gave the group their first chart success and became number one in 1994. 

After D:REAM has dazzled the crowd, it'll be time for the main event, the Darwen Christmas lights switch-on at around 18:00.   

The festive markets will remain open until 20:00, so you can enjoy an evening browse while warmed by the newly illuminated Christmas lights and background vocals from Kiki DeVille.

Why not enter into the festive spirit and dress up as an elf or Christmas character?  There'll be a prize for the best Christmas fancy dress; £50 Shop Darwen vouchers, as well as runner up prizes too.

Everyone is invited.  Darwen will turn out to support this event, that promises to be a memorable day of joyful Christmas celebrations and entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.  Blackburn with Darwen Council, Darwen Town Council and Crafty Vintage cannot wait to welcome you all onto the Market Square.