Haywards Heath gets ready for a festive day of Christmas celebrations

The festive season is almost here, and Haywards Heath is preparing to welcome residents and visitors for its annual Christmas Festival on Saturday 28th November. Organised by Haywards Heath Town Council, the event will bring the town centre to life with a bustling Christmas Market and family entertainment.

From 12pm to 4.30pm, visitors can browse a variety of Christmas stalls across Centenary Hall at St Wilfrid’s Church and Haywards Heath Baptist Church on Sussex Road. With an array of handcrafted gifts, decorations, jewellery, candles, seasonal treats, artwork and much more, there will be plenty of opportunities to find something special for Christmas. Visitors can also enjoy a selection of games, tombolas and activities along the way.

There will be plenty to keep younger visitors entertained, with a dedicated children's area upstairs at Haywards Heath Baptist Church, featuring balloon modelling and face painting. Downstairs, they can also meet the Elves and discover how they're doing on their magical Good-o-Meter, adding an extra sprinkle of festive fun to the afternoon. Whilst at Centenary Hall, visitors can meet Christmas Trees A- Live. Bringing the magic of the season, the trees may suddenly come to life, greeting guests with festive antics and friendly hugs.

The popular Christmas Window Trail will also return, encouraging families to explore the town centre and spot festive gifts displayed in participating shop windows. Trail sheets and prizes can be collected from the two church halls, or from Bridee Whyte on South Road, so keep your eyes peeled as you make your way around the town!

Local businesses will also be getting into the Christmas spirit with the Best Dressed Christmas Window Competition, running from Friday 20th November to Friday 4th December. Visitors can enjoy the festive displays as shops compete to create the most eye-catching windows, with the winners announced on Monday 7th December. The competition is kindly sponsored by Mid Sussex District Council.

Over at The Orchards Shopping Centre, the celebrations will include a special Lantern Parade, bringing an extra touch of magic to the afternoon, organised in partnership between The Orchards and Haywards Heath Town Council. Setting off from Victoria Park at 4.30pm, the parade will make its way up Church Road and into The Orchards, arriving in time for the Christmas Light Switch-On at 5pm. It promises to be a wonderful way to bring the community together and mark the start of the festive season.

Cllr Duncan Pascoe, Mayor of Haywards Heath, said: “The Christmas Festival is a fantastic opportunity to bring our community together and enjoy everything our town has to offer. It's also a great chance to support our local businesses while getting into the Christmas spirit. I look forward to seeing residents and visitors joining in the celebrations and hope everyone has a wonderful day.”

Haywards Heath Town Council would like to thank this year's sponsors, Mid Sussex District Council, South East Water, HaydenSwan Eyecare and P&S Gallagher, for their generous support in helping to make the Christmas Festival possible.

For further information, please visit www.haywardsheath.gov.uk/christmas-festival.