A man talking with Santa

Knutsford’s Christmas Sparkle: Light Switch on and Festive Market Weekend!

Last weekend the picturesque market town of Knutsford put on its annual Knutsford Market weekend with Light Switch On. Princess Street was filled with over 130 market stalls of the finest artisan products for a weekend of festive shopping.

Saturday featured the wonderful town lights being switched on by The Mayor of Knutsford Colin Banks and his wife the Mayoress, Christine. He was joined on stage by the May Queen and Crown Bearer and the man in red himself Santa. Local celebrity chef and TV personality Aiden Byrne also joined them onstage to help the crowd in the countdown to 6pm when the tree in Canute place, and the town lights, were lit to a huge round of applause. Aiden has recently opened restaurant Li-ly by Aiden Byrne, with his wife Sarah on King Street in Knutsford.

Headline act, The Breakfast Club kept everyone entertained with some well-known Christmas favourites, rounding off the entertainment on a magical high.

Councillor April Johnson commented ‘It was magical, and I think really started the Christmas season off with a bang’.

Simon Carin, The Welcome said ‘certainly the best Christmas Market I have attended. Good to see the markets so busy as well. I had forgotten how good the Town looks with all the Christmas lights up, it really is a great place to live.’

This years Santa Parade was a huge hit with hundreds gathering along King Street to catch a glimpse of Santa in his sleigh, care of Together Knutsford. Joining him along the way, The City of Chester Bluecoat Band, a local brownie group, Elsa and Anna, and a cheeky bunch of elves having the most magical of times.

Alex Molloy Events Manager said ‘We are so lucky to have such a brilliant community in Knutsford, that brings people in from far and wide to enjoy the atmosphere and mark the start of our festive season in this beautiful town. People came in their thousands with several traders reporting record breaking sales days. This event is a huge part of the events calendar and is only possible with the support of our sponsors, Savills, Cygnet Health (Tabley House Care Home), Bruntwood and Speedy Freight. Special thanks to Knutsford Hosts, The Rotary and The Scouts for the much-needed people power to ensure we can operate.’

Join the Mayor of Knutsford, local Churches, Manor Park School Choir and the Cit of Chester Brass Band on Saturday 7th December 4-5pm outside Lost and Found for this years Christmas Crib Service. This is a free event. Visit https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/christmas-events

People inside St Johns Church Knutsford looking at ReFresh exhibits

Call for Community Groups – ReFresh 2025

Knutsford’s Community freshers-style fair, ReFresh Knutsford, is set to return in January 2025 giving community groups, charities, and clubs the opportunity to showcase their organisation and recruit members. This year ReFresh will be in conjunction with wellness week, which focuses on mental and physical health.

Organised by Knutsford Town Council, ReFresh Knutsford emerged in 2021 as a community fair based on the concept of a ‘freshers fair’. The event gave Knutsford residents old and new the opportunity to discover organisations and clubs and connect them better to things going on in the community.

Knutsford Town Council are currently recruiting community groups, charities, and clubs to showcase their organisation on the 18th January. The event will be held across two venues: St Johns Church and Egerton Place from 1pm – 3pm. It is free to exhibit for all groups.

Communication Officer Laura Anderson said ‘Knutsford is lucky to be the home of many interesting clubs and community groups. We understand it can be hard for clubs to get their organisation known and for residents to find exactly what they are looking for. This event for is a brilliant opportunity to connect these groups to residents and showcase what they do’

Any group wishing to exhibit at this event can do so by contacting enquiries@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk . The deadline for expressions of interest is 20th December 2024.

The mayor and the winner of the Christmas Competition outside Knutsford Sweet shop

Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe awarded first place in Knutsford’s Christmas Window Competition!

Knutsford’s annual Christmas Window Competition, hosted by Knutsford Town Council, has once again brought seasonal cheer to the town centre.

The annual competition is judged by the Town Mayor alongside Ian Cass, Managing Director of the Forum of Private Business which also sponsors the annual Knutsford Town Awards. Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks and Ian toured the town centre to view all the window displays created by local businesses.

This year the winner was Knutsford Olde Sweet Shoppe with their traditional festive window that has continued to delight younger visitors to the town. Jessica Stone salon, who opened earlier this year on Church Hill, took second place for the elegant and carefully decorated window. Tatton Perk came third with their artistic Christmas illustration which was the work of a staff member Alexander Montgomery.

The overall winner was presented with a trophy and certificate with 2nd Place and 3rd Place certificates going to the runners up. Certificates were also presented for best small window and best charity shop window.

The best small window award went to R.I Home with their ski inspired window which perfectly complimented the range of products on sale. Age UK won best charity shop window for their traditional and vintage Christmas display.

Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks said, “The Christmas windows in the town centre this year were as impressive as ever. You can see how much effort goes into the displays with many business owners spending hours on them themselves. The shops should all be immensely proud of the displays and how they collectively create a very festive shopping experience.”

“It was a tough decision to pick the winners, so all awards were based on how much effort was put in as well as overall design and effect. A big congratulations to each winner and well done to all on their festive windows”

Three people outside Age Uk holding a certificate
A group of people outside R.I Home Knutsford
A group of people outside Tatton Perk Knutsford