Victorian Christmas makes return

The town’s streets will take on a twinkly, magical feel at the event, which starts at 5pm on Thursday.

There will be attractions throughout the town centre including a traditional carousel, a horse and carriage, craft demonstrations, birds of prey, ferret racing, traction engines and children’s rides. A lantern procession from St Mary’s Church will provide a colourful highlight just before the lights switch-on. Craft, charity and festive food stalls will wind through Swan Street, Market Street and the Market Place.

Shopkeepers and stallholders will be in period costume and visitors are encouraged to enter the Best Dressed Victorian competition on stage at 7.30pm.

Both the best dressed man and the best dressed woman will win a three course meal for two at The Rose and Crown.

Town centre manager Matthew Caddick said: “The Victorian Evening is an established highlight in the town’s calendar and great start to Christmas in Warwick.

“We’ve organised a strong programme of entertainment for this year’s event and a record number of stalls have booked to attend.”

The Grotto of Giving at the Market Hall Museum will open on the evening, with people encouraged to donate gifts to be distributed by the county council to less advantaged families across the county.

There will be historical ghost tours around Smith Street, and both St Nicholas Church and St Mary’s Church will be open for carols and refreshments.

Chairman of the chamber of trade, Sue Butcher, said: “It’s a brilliant event that brings thousands into Warwick.

“It’s just a wonderful atmosphere, and hopefully the weather will be good to us.”