Christmas in Frome
Friday 22nd November 2024, 5pm-7pm
Frome’s yearly Christmas celebrations are always popular and a great treat to kick off the season. The event in the town centre features a lantern procession, local music, street entertainment and of course the lights switch-on.
All we want for Christmas is you!
The celebratory Christmas Light Switch On is set to take place on Friday 22nd November, 5-7pm and Frome Town Council are inviting residents to join in the festivities by making their own unique lantern for the parade.
This year’s theme is Winter Woodland, creations will include mice, deer, foxes and badgers and it’s your opportunity to get as imaginative as you can. If you’d like a bit of direction and guidance bookings are now open for the community workshops. The first one is at Frome Library, on Saturday 2nd November, 10am – 11:15am. The rest will be held at the Silk Mill: Friday 15th November at 5pm, Saturday 16th November, 10am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm and Sunday 17th November, 10:30am – 12pm and 1pm – 3pm.
All the sessions are free, you just need to purchase the material kits which come in a variety of sizes and are available at the workshop or ahead of time from Discover Frome at the Library, or the Town Hall. Booking is essential and you can do so online, where you will also find inspiration and advice at www.fromelanterns.co.uk.
Cllr, Mark Dorrington said, “The Christmas Light Switch On signals the start of the festive season in Frome and always starts with a sparkly bang, thanks to Frome’s enthusiasm and creativity. So we’re calling on you again to get involved and make it an event not to be forgotten! We’re also very excited about the entertainment for this year, ranging from traditional Christmas cheer with Frome Town Band and Frome Choir, to international swing singer and showman Andrew Bourn, to the uplifting and energetic Enrichments. Make sure the date is in your diaries.”
Father Christmas is also coming to town thanks to local charity WHY. You can book a half-hour time slot between 4:30pm and 7:30pm for up to four children to visit Santa in his grotto at the WHY office (opposite Frome Museum). The grotto costs just £4 per child, with a gift and a sweet treat and the money raised at the grotto supports WHY’s vital emotional support services for children, young people and adults who have been affected or bereaved by cancer and life-threatening conditions. Find out more and book your children’s ticket at www.wehearyou.org.uk/fundraising/santas-grotto-at-light-the-night/
The search for the Mayor’s Christmas Card has also begun, with children up to 12 being asked to submit their Winter Woodland artistic offerings for this year’s card by 5pm Friday 25th October 2024. Find out more about the Mayor’s Christmas Card competition at www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas-card-competition-2024
Other Christmassy things…
There are plenty of other opportunities to enjoy some Christmas spirit in Frome aside from the lantern parade. There are lots of Christmas markets due to take place, including the December edition of the Frome Independent Market. Information on these can be found in our Christmas Fairs and Markets Guide 2023.
