With the countdown to Christmas now underway, Rochdale’s Christmas lights switch on takes place this Saturday (November 26th).
The first team are, of course, in League One action at Gillingham, however, the club will still have a presence at the event.
The popular event will see the return of a festive indoor market at Rochdale Town Hall, family entertainment, a craft workshop and special Christmas storytelling sessions for children, as well as a fireworks display.
The market opens at 1pm, with a range of stalls in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall, including a RAFC branded stall. We’ll be there to promote all things Dale, including our half season tickets and Goldbond, and will be selling club merchandise. We’ll also be giving those at the event the chance to win match tickets to our game against Scunthorpe United on December 10th.
Seasonal food and drink will be served in the Christmas Café and Wardle Community Brass Band will get you in the festive spirit with yuletide favourites!
Outside the town hall from 2pm there will be food and drink and lots more family fun featuring the spectacular pendulum wave machine and other activities from the Travelling Light Circus and a penalty shoot-out competition with Dale’s Community Trust.
Visitors can also try circus tricks with Skylight Circus and a host of local acts will perform throughout the afternoon, including singer Gem O'Reilly, Rochdale Music Service. The town hall will be bathed in colourful lights and there will also be a special appearance by Father Christmas who will be turning on the Christmas lights from the town hall balcony.
Other festive activities will be taking place at Rochdale's shopping centres with Bjorn the Polar Bear, a fully-animated and incredibly lifelike puppet at the Wheatsheaf Centre, alongside a craft workshop where little ones can make their very own polar bear mask. At Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre there will be a lantern making workshop from 11am–3pm, with families invited to come and create their own lanterns which will then form part of a parade to the Christmas Lights Switch On, starting from Home Bargains in the centre, where giant snowmen will begin the parade to the town hall.
After the big switch on, entertainment continues at Touchstones Arts and Heritage Centre with a Ceilidh from 7:30pm - raucous barn dancing, socialising and fun! No experience necessary, all the dances will be explained beforehand by the live band. Book your tickets on Eventbrite.