Kicking Off Christmas to include Santa Run and fireworks

A Santa run and illuminated bike parade will be part of Newtown’s Christmas celebrations next month, with fireworks and live music also planned.

Kicking Off Christmas takes place on Saturday, 28 November, on High Street, starting at 2pm. Entry is free.

Local stalls, food and drink and a heated bar will feature alongside the switching on of the town’s Christmas lights.

The event will give residents a chance to combine an afternoon in town with Christmas shopping, with support for local businesses among the organisers’ aims, according to the town council.

Details of the Santa run and bike parade, including how to take part, have yet to be announced. The times for the lights and fireworks are also still to be confirmed.

Free parking at Gravel car park is also likely. The town council has submitted applications to Powys County Council for the parking concession, a High Street closure and traffic diversions.

Councillors were told in October that a contractor had been selected and a meeting was being arranged to settle the programme.

Residents have also been asked what they would like to see at the celebrations through a questionnaire shared on social media.

An update on preparations will go to the council’s Economy and Environment Committee meeting on Monday, 2 November.

The council has budgeted £11,500 for this year’s celebrations. A separate proposal would increase funding to £13,500 for next year’s event.