FAMILIES in Leigh are being urged to turn out in force for lantern parades, festive markets and live music as the town prepares to blast off with its pre-Christmas celebrations.

Wigan Council's is aiming to bring an exciting run of low cost and free family-friendly events to locations across the borough.

Set to take place on Sunday, November 17, Leigh's Frost Festival will feature stages of outdoor entertainment, funfairs and Christmas lights switch on celebrations in the town centres.

Additionally, Leigh will host the Light Up Leigh dazzling Christmas lantern parade, featuring illuminated lanterns, puppets, stilt walkers, and circus performers, will parade on a tour of Leigh town centre, switching on the Christmas lights as they go.

The parade will end at Civic Square, where an evening of on-stage music and entertainment alongside the return of the Frost Feast pop-up food market will follow.

What's on

Spinning Gate Carpark - from  noon

Community stage

Artisan market stalls

Town centre street parade - 4.30pm till 6pm -Leaving Spinning Gate heading to the Town Hall

Civic Square / Town Hall - 6pm till 9:30pm

Finale with live music and local bands

Leigh Feast @ Town Hall - 2pm till 9:30pm

Local food and drink stalls

Light Up Leigh Christmas Parade Route

Starting at 4.30pm the parade will leave Spinning Gate along Gas Street heading north, turning on to Bradshawgate and heading south towards King Street. Turning right onto Market Street, then right again on to Lord Street. The parade will then complete a lap the cenotaph before returning back down Lord Street to it's destination - outside the town hall.
 

Live Artists

The Lilacs

Jeramiah Ferrari

Bek Jones

The Light Up Leigh parade has been curated by The Turnpike Gallery, community dance company WigLe Dance, and Down to Earth, part of the Creative People and Places Programme, funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Other community groups and schools are also signed up to take part in the parade such as Leigh Youth Hub, Bedford High School, Leigh St Mary’s Primary School and WN Dance.

More residents and families will be able to take part by joining one of a series of creative workshops.

One part of the parade will be a beautiful giant snow leopard puppet, designed by professional artists as a celebration of Leigh Leopards.

Creative Director of the Light Up Leigh parade, Amy Hodgson said: “We’re delighted to see Light Up Leigh evolve into a signature event for the town.

“It’s more than just a parade - it’s about bringing people together, showcasing our local talent and giving residents the chance to get involved in something truly special.

“This year, we’ve set our sights higher than ever, and we can’t wait to see Leigh’s streets come alive with light and colour.”

Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities at Wigan Council, added: “We know that lots of people find the festive period particularly challenging financially so we’re glad to be able to offer free and low-cost events for local people to enjoy across the borough this year and we hope everyone who can make it, will come along and enjoy the parade, lights, music and entertainment.”

Leigh will also host festive markets in the build up to Christmas on November 16 and 17 and December 21.

Starting at noon on Sunday, the community stage and artisan market stalls will be at Spinning Gate. From 2pm local food and drink vendors will be at the Town Hall.

Then at 4.30pm the light parade will move from Spinning Gate through the town centre finishing at the Town Hall with live music and a grand finale. The event wraps up at 9.30pm.