KIRKBY Lonsdale are bringing in the Christmas season this weekend as their festive fair returns for 2022.

Held between December 1 and 4, the Christmas Fair will be organised by Kirkby Lonsdale & Lune Valley Community Interest Company (Kirkby Lonsdale CIC), who have been working with the community all year to put together a full program of events with the theme “The True Spirit of Kirkby Lonsdale”.

The weekend begins with the Christmas Charter market on December 1 between 9am and 3pm.

This is followed by the Bric A Brac at St Mary’s Church starts is open 10am-6pm on Friday, 10am-5pm on Saturday and 12.30-4.30pm on Sunday.

The Chalet Village is open 4-8pm on Friday, 10am-7pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday.

This year, the chalet village is extending into The Snooty Fox’s Garden – follow Santa’s footprints from the Chalet Stage for more Christmas shopping.

The highly anticipated Christmas Light Switch-on will start in St Mary’s Churchyard at 5.30pm (arrive early to get a costume and a lantern) with Candlelight poems and carols with the Save Ruskins View Fund and St Mary’s Primary School.

Phoebe Rodway, Marketing & Events Manager at Kirkby Lonsdale CIC, said: “The whole town is really excited for the event, and I know that people are particularly looking forward to the Santa Parade as it hasn’t happened for the last few years.

“The best part about organizing the event has been collaborating with enthusiastic people throughout the community and bringing The True Spirit of Kirkby Lonsdale to life.”

The Santa Parade is back on December 3 at 3pm for the first time since 2019 – organized by Mark Nelson, owner of The Card Gallery and Membership Secretary for The Chamber of Trade.

More than 30 local businesses and community groups are taking part. Santa and Scrooge will lead the parade, along with local dance school Curious Dance Academy, Lancaster based drummers Batala and singing group South Lakes Acapella.

Santa’s Grotto will open in St Mary’s Churchyard straight after the parade for presents to meet the man in the red suit (4-6pm).

Santa’s Grotto will be open all day Sunday along with elf crafts and games (11am-4pm) and There will be free alpaca petting on Saturday and Sunday 11am-2pm.

There is a whole line-up of music over the weekend, organized by local musician Dave Sapsford, and a carol concert by Kirkby Lonsdale Singers and Sing Joyfully on Sunday at 4pm in St Mary’s Church.

The Christmas weekend will finish with a final celebration with a Live Music & Quiz Night at Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club (7.30-11pm).

This exciting and community focused event could not happen without the generous support of local funders, including Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council, Kirkby Lonsdale Chamber of Trade, The Snooty Fox, The Christopher Robins Trust, Booths and The Royal Hotel. High Street businesses have also sponsored live music for the event.

The full programme is available at the Information & Gift Shop, 29 Main Street, Kirkby Lonsdale and online: https://kirkbylonsdale.info/christmas-fair-2022/.

The community will process down Main Street with Kirkby Lonsdale Brass Band and giant light-up puppets to Market Square where Santa and Scrooge will turn on the Christmas tree at 6.15pm.

Late night shopping will be available until 8pm and there is a teenager’s silent disco in the Yurt in St Mary’s Churchyard from 7pm (tickets available online: https://www.trybooking.co.uk/BZSS).