Kettering ready to light up for Christmas

The full details of Kettering's Christmas Lights Switch On event have now been released.

The lights will be switched on by local hero Denise Mackay, who set up Johnny's Happy Place in Kettering.

She was put forward for the honour in the Hunt for a Hero appeal and chosen by the Mayor after hundreds of local people nominated her for the honour.

Denise said: "I'm thrilled and deeply honoured to have been chosen to turn the Christmas lights on in Kettering this year. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. It's wonderful that our organisation, Johnny's Happy Place, is being recognised as a valuable resource to the town.

"It's very much a team effort and it would be nothing without the people behind the scenes doing an incredible job supporting people who walk through our doors; doors that are open to absolutely everyone."

Cllr Craig Skinner, Mayor of Kettering, said: "We had so many nominations for Denise, there was an overwhelming amount of support for her. She has worked tirelessly to help people in Kettering and this is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the town to thank her for what she has done.

"The Christmas Lights Switch On is our event highlight of the year. We have been planning this for months as a celebration of Kettering. We hope as many people as possible will come along and enjoy the entertainment and the stalls."

The event will also feature a performance by the winner of The Seb Factor, a competition set up in memory of Sebastian Nunney, who turned the lights on Kettering last year.

Out of 14 acts, Southfield School student Sabina Lawton, 13, was crowned winner for her rendition of Angel.

The event will also feature live music from Pure Genius party band, performances from Starlight Dance and Musical Theatre School plus the ultimate disco from DJ and compere Bill Burton.

More than 35 stallholders are confirmed for the evening, which will showcase local businesses and traders with hot street food, mobile bars and artisan craft stalls.

Roaming street entertainment will be on offer as well as model railway rides, a light-up table football tournament, traditional brass music from Kettering Town Silver Band and the Lions' light-up selfie sleigh.

The switch on is planned for Thursday 28 November, with the event starting at 4pm in the town's Market Square and along Sheep Street. The surrounding roads will be closed from 12pm on the day to prepare for the event.

A giant 30ft tree from local supplier Welford Christmas Tree farm has already been installed in the Market Place, while the Christmas lights will be going up across the town centre over the next few days.

A series of Christmas markets will also be run in the Market Place on Saturdays during December and will feature a mix of street food and drink, local produce, artisan gifts as well as live music and entertainment. The markets are on Saturday 7, 14 and 21 December from 10am to 3pm.

Other events planned as part of Christmas in Kettering include:

Meet Santa at the Elf Station, Newlands Centre, weekends from Saturday 30 November

Christmas Tree Festival, St Andrew's Church, from Saturday 14 December

Town Carol Service, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Thursday 19 December

Find out more about all the town council's events this festive season: