Abingdon’s Christmas Extravaganza!

There is so much happening in the lead up to Christmas 2016 in Abingdon! The festive season will be getting underway in spectacular style on Saturday 26 November with Abingdon’s amazing Christmas Extravaganza, brought to you by Abingdon on Thames Chamber of Commerce.

For a start, there is free car parking all day in the council car parks, so extra money in your pockets for Christmas shopping! (and don't forget car parking is free every Saturday until 17 December!) 

The day begins at 9am with a wonderful Christmas Market in Bath Street – a chance to get your Christmas shopping underway as you explore the stalls, as well as all the lovely shops in town.

Be sure to make your way to Market Place where the Rotary Club of Abingdon will be serving delicious mulled wine and mince pies.

From 10.30am onwards there will be lots of entertainment in Market Place and Bath Street from local charities and community groups, including Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers, Strawberry Fayre Majorettes, Oxford Caledonian Pipe and Drum Band, Abingdon Judo, Abingdon Stagecoach and Ashnah … and look out for donkeys from the Island Farm sanctuary too.

Also during the morning there will be a circus workshop outside the Community Free Space, and in the afternoon three Punch and Judy shows will take place here.

Do pop along to St Etherwold’s House in East St Helen Street while the Extravaganza is in progress as they will be hosting a Fair Trade and Craft Fair starting at 10.30am – another lovely chance to get some Christmas goodies and help those less fortunate at the same time.

The magical Christmas Parade starts at 12 noon, leaving from Queen Street, travelling along Stert Street, East St Helen Street, Lombard Street, West St Helen Street and then along High Street to Market Place.

Then there’s a chance to meet none other than Father Christmas who has taken time out of his busy schedule to come to Abingdon where he will be in Market Place.

Throughout the afternoon there will be live musical entertainment from lots of brilliant artists, including The Publix, and at 5pm you can see live on stage the fabulous ex-S Club stars Tina Barrett, Jo O'Meara and Bradley McIntosh performing many of their hit songs. There is also a chance to see the winner of the recent talent competition perform on the main stage too.

And it doesn’t end there! At 6pm comes the big switch on of the Christmas lights by the pop stars Tina, Jo and Bradley, joined by the talent competition winner.

The Extravaganza culminates with a spectacular firework display – the perfect end to a perfect day! Make sure you’re there to be part of the fun!

Special thanks go out to Abingdon on Thames Chamber of Commerce and the many sponsors for making this event possible.