There’s so much on in St Helens this Christmas, it can be easy to miss some of the great events happening.
We’ve put together a full guide to what’s on across the borough this month to mark the festive season.
There’s a wide range of things for all tastes, from where to see Santa to Christmas markets and fairs, what’s happening with the Santa Dash to the timings of the Christmas lights switch ons.
Not to mention the choirs, concerts, panto and dance to get you in the Christmas mood.
Where to see Father Christmas
Santa Claus will be stopping off a few times in St Helens over the Christmas period, after popping in at Tyrers department store at the Mansion House over the weekend.
- St Mary’s Market – He’ll be in the market every day between 9am and 5pm from today until Christmas eve, where children can receive a present for £5.95.
- Newton Boys and Girls’ Club – His next stop will be at the club on Haydock Street, Earlestown from 4-8.30pm on Thursday, December 10.
He’ll be accompanied by a reindeer, and you can have your photo taken and receive a gift box – as well as gaining a chance of winning an Xbox One.
There’ll also be stalls, refreshments, tombola and face-painting. - North West Museum of Road Transport – Santa will be there with live music and bus rides on Saturday and Sunday, December 12-13.
Children can get involved for £7.50, with adults £3.50 and concessions £2.50. - Church Square – Santa will fly in for a real reindeer event in central St Helens from 11am-3pm on Saturday, December 12.
He’ll also be at Rainford Christmas Fayre and Holy Cross Catholic Primary school – see the markets and fairs listed below.
Christmas markets and fairs
Enjoy the festive spirit and stock up on Christmas food, drink and prezzies at some of these upcoming events:
- Vintage Fair, Masonic Hall – The Hall Street venue is hosting more than 40 stalls from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, December 5.
There’ll be vintage goods, arts and crafts, beer and wine, jewellery, hair and makeup, vegan food and more. - Rainford Christmas Fayre – Santa, live music from local schools and lots of stalls will be out for the Fayre along Church Street in Rainford – from 11am-3pm on Saturday, December 5.
- Newton High Street Christmas Market – Market stalls and shops will open from 2pm on Sunday, December 6.
There’ll be a Christingle service at St Peter’s from 4pm, brass band and festive lights switch on at around 5pm. - Holy Cross Catholic Primary School – Staff and pupils promise a ‘spectacular’ Christmas Fayre, with Father Christmas, a tombola, hook-a-bauble, face-painting, Christmas games and more from 3.30pm on Wednesday, December 9.
- Makers Market, St Mary’s – the specialist food, drink, arts, craft and artisan market at St Mary’s Market holds its own festive event from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, December 19.
Rudolph, Elves and Frosty the Snow Man will make an appearance, with a range of music.
Christmas lights switch on events
Here are the upcoming switch on events across the borough, with the lights in the town centre, Peasley Cross, Fingerpost, Earlestown, Rainhill, Haydock and Bold already shining.
- Wargrave – Park Road South outside nursing home, 5pm on Friday, December 4
- Windle – Dentons Green Lane, 4.30pm on Friday, December 4
- Garswood – Garswood Road/Station Road, 6pm on Friday, December 4
- Thatto Heath – Thatto Heath Road, 4pm on Friday, December 4
- St Mary’s Market – central St Helens, Saturday, December 5
- Newton – Newton High Street outside St Peter’s Church, 5pm on Sunday, December 6
- Rainford – Church Road, 1pm on Sunday, December 6
- Billinge – Pingot Road/Main Street, 6.30pm on Friday December 11
St Helens Santa Dash
Pull on your red suits for this year’s dash, starting in Church Square in St Helens at 11am on Saturday, December 5.
The event is to raise funds for local charities Willowbrook Hospice and the Steve Prescott Foundation.
Entry to the St Helens Santa Dash is £12 for adults, who will receive a complimentary Santa Suit, and £6 for children, who will get a Santa hat. Children under five go free.
For more information and to register visit the website.
Read more:
St Helens Santa Dash launched
Christmas concerts, panto and dance
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Borough’s best choirs, Central Library – Not one but four choirs will perform at a free festive event in central St Helens on Saturday, December 5.
The Citadel Sing Out Choir will be on at 11am, Haydock Male Voice Choir at 12pm, St Helens Choral Society at 1pm and St Bartholomew’s Catholic Primary Choir at 2pm. -
Christmas Tree Festival – Vote for the best tree at St Helens Parish Church from 10am-4pm on Saturday, December 12 (carol service at 1pm) and 10.30am-12pm on Sunday, December 13 (Christingle service).
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Cinderella, Theatre Royal – Not quite festive, but the cast seem sure to throw in a Christmas twist.
Cinderella is in town at St Helens Theatre Royal from December 4 to January 10 – book tickets on 01744 756000. - Red Riding Hood, Citadel – The little lady in red ‘like you’ve never experienced it before’, according to venue the Citadel.
They’re tapping the festive spirit with a £10 ticket that includes visiting Santa at his Tyrers grotto.
Get your tickets at the Citadel box office on Waterloo Street, with performances at 11.30am and 2.30 on Saturday, December 5 and 12, and 2.30pm on Sunday, December 6 and 13. - Kids’ Rave, Citadel – Heart of Glass are organising a quirky ‘rave for kids’ at the arts centre from 10am-1pm on Saturday, December 19.
Expect live sing-along music, balloon modelling, face-painting, workshops and more, entry £2.50, under-8s only. -
Santa’s Elves, Church Square shopping centre – Some mischievous elves will be in town giving a free hand to shoppers from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, December 5, 12 and 9.
They’ll carry your bags, wrap gifts, entertain youngsters, sing carols and hand out sweeties.
For more local news, visit the St Helens section of the website.
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