No crowds at Christmas Lights Switch On as festive plans unveiled

However Christmas is far from cancelled with preparations under way for a raft of celebrations and events in the run up to December 25th, after

members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee this week approved budgets, programme and marketing plans for the 2020 Christmas campaign.

The festivities will run from November to December 16 focusing on key weekends, with all plans being kept under review in case guidelines change.

A report presented to members at the meeting outlined the impact public health guidance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic has had on events across NI and stated that it is anticipated restrictions will remain in place and will have a significant impact on the type of activity planned for Christmas 2020.

Members heard that a key element of the Christmas campaign will be a strong focus on shopping local and supporting local businesses with messaging around– “Your small spend makes a giant difference”.

Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aeidin McCarter, presenting the report to members outlined a proposed calendar of events to include Virtual Christmas Lights Switch Ons in Strabane on November 21 and Derry on November 22; an Inside Out Christmas-themed Animation on November 21 and 22 and December 11 and 12, with street dressing, animations and music in both Derry and Strabane town centres.

There will also be a Christmas themed Walled City Market on December 5 and a weekend of Christmas characters and animation in and around the streets of Derry and Strabane over the weekend of December 5 and 6. However the annual Guildhall Craft Fair has been cancelled due to restrictions.

As part of the Mayor’s Christmas programme of events during the weekends of November and December, the Mayor will visit and bring festive fun to communities across the Council area with the help of Santa and on 16 December he will host a Virtual Christmas Tea Dance.

It was also agreed at the meeting that officers would explore options for increased funding to be made available for community initiatives and should there be any lifting of the restrictions that the programme and budget would be reviewed.

Approving the budget and the outline programme of activities for Christmas 2020, Business and Culture Committee Chairperson Councillor Rory Farrell said it was important that Council continued to plan ahead for Christmas and every effort was made to promote local businesses and encouraging the public to return to the city and town centres to spend money.