Planners ‘couldn’t be more excited’ ahead of Christmas events in Midhurst and Petworth

On Friday, December 6, the annual Christmas Street Party will be hosted in Midhurst, including live music, rides, games and food from 6pm to 8pm.

Kayleigh Collyer, events and promotions officer at Midhurst Town Council, said they ‘couldn’t be more excited for everything in store’.

She added: “Chestnuts will be roasting, Punch and Judy will be out to play and there is even an exciting snowman making his way around the town.

“Kids will be able to enjoy the rides and games and parents will be able to take part in some festive spirit.

“At 6pm, the stage music will be kicked off by Midhurst Musical Mayhem, the lights will then be switched on at 6.25.

“At 6.40, Easebourne Primary, Midhurst Primary, Conifers School and Stedham Primary will fill the stage to bring us Christmas songs and happy faces.

“From 7 until 8pm, Chris Cummins will take the stage to perform for everyone to enjoy.”

Every businesses in West Street, Church Hill, Red Lion Street, Knockhundred Row and North Street will also be open for late night shopping.

Kayleigh added: “The Upholsterer in North Street will once again be organising and hosting the spectacular Santa’s Grotto with the help in the form of friendly and happy Elves from Grace Church and The Lions Club helping to bring Santa from the North Pole to North Street for the children to meet. This year’s grotto will have time slots to help easier running.

"The Wheatsheaf Pub will be having an after party at 8pm, with live music performed by Meg Lawrenson – Taylor Swift and Alanis Morrisette meet Paramore, an exciting new pop artist to look out for.

"This year will also be the introduction of ‘The Christmas Street Party Child Celebrity’. Molly Shadbolt was chosen after she took part in the Midhurst Town Council's carnival parade in

August, to be this years celebrity.

"She will open Santa's grotto by being the first child to meet and welcome Santa, she will then make her way to Wizzbits toy shop to choose £50 worth of toys to donate for the toy appeal on behalf of MADhurst and their generous donation.

"Molly when then make her way to Comestibles to receive her complimentary hot chocolate and then off to Micheal Courtneys for her free dinner.

"At 18.25pm. Molly will make her way to the stage to officially start the Christmas season in Midhurst by switching on the Christmas lights.

"We hope you can all join us and make this the best start to the Christmas season we could hope for."

Meanwhile, in Petworth on Saturday, December 7, Market Square and Leconfield Hall will be ‘filled with stalls which extend up Lombard Street and the High Street’.

Music performances are due to take place from 1.30pm until 7pm. Christmas films will be held in the Leconfield Hall where Santa ‘will also be making an appearance’.

On its website, the town council said the event has been ‘growing year on year’ and it hopes this year can be the ‘biggest yet’.

There will also be more than 80 stalls dotted around the town, selling a whole range of food, cakes, jewellery, accessories, etc.

The shops stay open until 8pm and there is a shop window competition and live window displays throughout the day. The switch on of the tree lights is at 6pm with community carol singing led by the local churches.

On its website, the Petworth Town Council wrote: "All day entertainment in the past has consisted of singers, local choirs from schools and choral societies, the town band, Father Christmas, lantern making and parade, buskers, magician and funfair.

"There is also a live nativity with Darcy the donkey which processes from St Mary’s Church down Lombard Street and into Market Square. The shops stay open until 8 pm and there is a shop window competition and live window displays throughout the day.

"The switch on of the tree lights is at 6pm with community carol singing lead by the local churches. It is an ideal opportunity to do your Christmas shopping and a great start to your Christmas festivities."

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