Wokingham Winter Carnival, a highlight in the town’s calendar, is set to take place on Sunday, November 26.
The free event is a great way to start celebrating Christmas and the festive season, and thanks to Wokingham Borough Council, there will be free parking in town centre car parks.
Wokingham Winter Carnival benefits from major sponsorship from Wokingham Town Council and The Wokingham Society.
This year it has additional support from Blandy & Blandy Solicitors, Trademark Windows, Wokingham United Charities, Clifton Ingram Solicitors and InstaGroup, as well as local charities First Days and Wokingham Men’s Shed.
Tim Hanton of Wokingham Lions Club is heading the team for a second year.
He said: “We are looking forward to providing a fantastic day out for the residents of Wokingham, with great entertainment to kick off the Christmas season”.
The Winter Carnival is held throughout the town centre, including Denmark Street, Erftstadt Court, Market Place, Peach Street, Broad Street, Rose Street, Peach Place and for the first time this year it will extend down onto the hardstanding adjacent to Elms Field.
The official start is at 11am, but stalls and rides will be open from 10:30am.
Many of the ever-popular attractions will return, including the fairground rides (charges apply), all day entertainment on the stage in Market Place, plus street entertainment around the town.
Santa has again chosen the Elevate Centre for his grotto, and First Days Children’s Charity will be helping him on the day. This year there will be a booking system to reduce queueing times to see Santa.
More than 120 stalls have booked to be at the Winter Carnival, including craft stalls, food stalls and charity stalls, giving many small businesses and local charities an opportunity to raise their profiles and some much-needed funds.
Wokingham Lions Club will distribute profits made after the event expenses, to this year’s major beneficiaries Home-Start Wokingham District and Share Wokingham, as well as other local charities and good causes.
The day will culminate at 4:10pm in the traditional switching on of the Christmas Lights by the Town Mayor and Mini Mayor, followed by St Sebastians Brass Band and Wokingham Singers leading Community Carols.
This will, as last year, lead to a stunning laser show in Market Place at 5:00pm.
Wokingham Lions Club have commissioned a different show this year and it will provide a wonderful end to the Wokingham Winter Carnival 2023.
A run-down for the day can be found on www.wintercarnival.co.uk, and for more details about Wokingham Lions Club visit www.wokinghamlions.org.uk.
