Christmas officially arrived in Cheltenham last night as the festive lights were turned on.
At four o’clock yesterday evening, Cheltenham was lit up by an array of glowing lights from one end of town to the other. Hanging over the inner promenade, now packed with stalls for the Christmas Gift Market, they marked the beginning of the happiest season of all.
Lights wrapped round trees, attached to lampposts, and displayed in shop windows, the people of Cheltenham are now surrounded by a new starry night sky. Lining the high-street, extending past the promenade, and illuminating the municipal offices, the extravagance ends with a golden reindeer statue in the centre of Montpellier roundabout.
The Christmas season is in full swing. As the night grew darker, the lights shone brighter, and the town got busier. Choirs gathered on the high street and promenade, serenading shoppers and browsers alike as they weaved in and out of the various stalls selling a range of festive goods from assorted woollen garments, jewellery, toys for pets, and much more.
The two stalls that seem to trump all others are, not surprisingly, one selling the famous giant Yorkshire pudding wraps, and the other, seasonally spiced drinks i.e., mulled wine, Bailey’s hot chocolate, and even Christmas Pimm’s. Both found opening day relatively quiet but expect it to get much busier as the week draws to an end and the weekend begins.
With a host of activities planned from 4pm to 7pm, Cheltenham was humming with life as the night continued. The Ice-Rink, which showcased a figure skating event and opens to the public tomorrow, was packed to the brim. Further into town, families and friends came together to begin, if not already started, their Christmas shopping. What better time to start than when the atmosphere is heavy with Christmas spirit. Christmas spirit that starts with the flick of a switch.
Click here to find out more about the opening of the ice rink.
