Exeter Guildhall Shopping Centre festivities kick off tonight

The Christmas fun starts today for Exeter's Guildhall (22nd November) with an afternoon and evening of entertainment for the Christmas lights switch-on, which is still scheduled to go ahead this evening despite the weather conditions.

A combination of snow, glitter, Santa Claus, children’s entertainment and local choirs will create a festive atmosphere for the switch-on by Transforma Man – and the event will also see the introduction of a new, hairy member of the Guildhall Shopping Centre family.

The Guildhall Shopping Centre Christmas grotto, the only dedicated grotto in Exeter, will open on 24th November with a day of entertainment and a visit from Santa’s reindeer. This year’s grotto is brand new with fantastic gifts and visits to Santa can be booked on-line atwww.guildhallshoppingexeter.co.uk/christmas-fun. The grotto will also be open every day from 24th November to 24th December.

From 24th November to Christmas there is something happening every weekend and late night Thursday, from local choirs to children’s entertainment, Morris dancing, and children’s rides. Highlights include the Exeter Innovations Christmas Market (29th November to 9th December) and the popular Hug a Husky event (15th and 16th December).

Andrew McNeilly, Centre Manager at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, said: “We were unable to hold our annual Christmas parade this year, but we were determined to ensure that the spirit of Christmas remains alive and well in Exeter which is why we have instead invested in a whole month’s worth of festive fun. Not only have we got the only dedicated grotto in Exeter, but we are also welcoming a host of entertainers and choirs, not forgetting real reindeer and cuddly huskies. We really feel that we’ve got something for everyone.”

The full list of Christmas activities goes live on the Guildhall Shopping Centre website on 1stNovember, and there will be updates throughout the Christmas period. Details are available by logging on at www.guildhallshoppingcentre.co.uk/christmas-fun, by ‘liking’ the centre on Facebook or by following it on Twitter.