It’s coming home. Christmas is coming to Andover with the imminent arrival of the Andover Christmas Festival. And what a glorious occasion it looks like being.
Shops will be decorated, the tree is going up as this is being written, lights are being installed and all the bulbs are being checked, and somewhere near the North Pole a jolly fat man is practicing his “Ho ho ho”.
There will be two stages (The Main Stage on the High Street and the Andover Radio Live Lounge Stage on Bridge Street) with a variety of both festive and local acts all wanting to entertain you. On the Main Stage will be eleven acts performing across the afternoon/evening, while the Live Lounge Stage will host a further eight. A programme of events will be available on the day will help you to plan and ensure that you don’t miss anything.
The Andover Radio & Sunrise Sound Studio stage is packed with amazing local artists including Lani Clayton, Jake Ward, Maddison A, James Stretch, Marie Ponting & Kev Rees, Sam Rich and Matt Marshall.
In Pocket Park there will be a large tent enabling three performances of Thumbelina from the Children’s Puppet Theatre Show. These will be at 3.30pm, 5pm and 6.30pm. Unsurprisingly, tickets for these were snapped up quickly and all three shows are currently fully sold out – but there may be ‘returns’ which will be made available if and when they come back. Keep an eye and an ear open for further information.
We have heard “no fireworks” has been mentioned, a lot. This is fortunate/unfortunate for a great many reasons; but we have managed to come up with something that we think is even better. Obviously, we have had to keep this a bit secret while we made the preparations, but now we can officially announce something incredible and what will be a complete first for Andover. Something we needed special permission for, and it will be well worth it.
A TOTALLY AMAZING LASER SHOW
After the light switch on at 6pm you should stay in the town centre because just before 7pm our 360 degree, musically accompanied and totally awesome, Laser Show begins. It doesn’t matter where in the town centre you are, just look up. The laser lights will be visible from all around, projected from the Town Centre rooftops.
Many of the town centre shops will be staying open, there will be festive stalls along Bridge Street and there will be opportunities to enjoy hot food and drinks, and much, much more.
And where better to catch the England v USA football match than one of the many town centre venues hosting the game on TV. There really are no excuses not to be here. It really will be a magnificent afternoon and evening of festive fun for all the family. For mums, dads, kids, teens, uncles, aunties, carers, grandparents, and friends.
All are cordially invited to the Andover Christmas Festival, brought to you by InAndover from the Andover BID, Test Valley Borough Council and Andover Town Council.
Tanya from Anna Fields said “the whole family is excited that the lights switch on is back this year and we are looking forward to spending the evening in town and all the various entertainment on offer”
Steve, Bid Manager said “It’s been great to work with everyone in the town to make this such a special night, it will be lots of fun and we are especially excited about bringing the brand new Laser Light Show to Andover which will provide a grand finale to the evening”
