THE CITY FOR CHELMSFORD // ESSEX Christmas Lights 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide Celebrate! Bigger and better, this year’s A whole host of events and Find the perfect present for Choose from over 50 Christmas light switch on is acts appearing in the build your loved ones with our restaurants, bars and cafés for not to be missed! — p4 up to Christmas — p6 Christmas gift guide — p26 the perfect evening out! — p11 Issue two // winter 2019 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS RIVERSIDE LEISURE CENTRE FESTIVE ACTIVITIES CHRISTMAS TIPPLE NIGHTS Dear Reader OUT HYLANDS As we step into 2020, our plans for events and ESTATE BOND Representing over 500 local STREET projects around the city are beginning to take businesses in the city, Chelmsford’s HYDE shape and we look forward to sharing these HALL Business Improvement District HIGH with you. Only by working with and engaging STREET (BID), is bringing the voices of the COUNTY with local people and businesses can we make city together and investing into core HOTEL THE sure that we are delivering above and beyond MEADOWS areas to benefit and improve our local what people want. ESSEX COUNTY area and ensure that it remains the CRICKET GROUND HIGH We look forward to welcoming you all to our CHELMER county’s premier destination to work, APRÉS SKI BAR Christmas light switch on event on Sunday visit and live. & SKATE RINK GIFT 17th November which promises to be more GUIDES CHELMSFORD spectacular than ever before including the THEATRES We’ve been busy this year implementing CITY OF CHELMSFORD launch of our CM1STMAS Community Awards. MENCAP various initiatives across the city. Not to CHELMSFORD CITY I would like to take this opportunity to wish Contents mention our recent rebrand project – MUSEUM DEPARTMENT you and your families a very Happy Christmas, STORES Chelmsford For You. The marketing campaign CHELMSFORD CITY and a prosperous New Year! has been designed to reflect the level of RACECOURSE FESTIVE RECIPES diversity we have. Not just promoting the city With my very best, CHELMSFORD CITY centre, but putting the whole of Chelmsford FOOTBALL CLUB CHRISTMAS firmly on the map. We’re passionate about our PREP city and with so many reasons to come here, Mike Wray Mike Wray EATING we want to shout about it from the rooftops. BID Manager OUT CHELMSFORD FOR YOU CONNECTIONS & PARKING issue two // winter 2019 CHRISTMAS STORY 02 | cm1stmas.co.uk CM1STMAS.CO.UK | 03 On Sunday 17th November, come and experience the city’s Christmas This year the city’s Christmas lights will be switched on by four carefully chosen community light extravaganza with a bright heroes voted for by the public in the Chelmsford and beautiful display of hanging CM1STMAS Community Awards. illuminations with movement, animation, changing colours and much, much more. The awards are all about honouring the achievements of inspiring individuals who contribute their time and effort to benefit and improve the parishes of Chelmsford. For the first time, Chelmsford BID will be organising Nominations fall under four unique categories: the City’s light switch on making it bigger and better than ever before. The event promises to Inspirational Young Person | Inspirational Adult shout proudly about everything Chelmsford Community Champion | Environmental Champion has to offer, creating an abundance of activities Votes can be cast by visiting: and areas for everyone of all ages to visit www.chelmsfordforyou.co.uk/chelmsford-awards. and enjoy throughout the entire day. The winner from each category will be invited to take With entertainment and activities throughout the city, part in the all-important ‘switch-on’ and receive their visit the Town Sign Stage for acoustic acts, comedians certificate on stage in front of the whole city! and storytelling or take a wander through The Bearded And if all that just isn’t enough, the City centre will also Gypsy Trade Fayre Market on Stone Bridge. Enjoy arts enjoy two Christmas trees displayed outside John Lewis and crafts on Springfield Road or perhaps you would and Barclays Bank. As in previous years, the tree lights prefer to visit the Après Ski Bar in the Bond Street will be turned off on 2nd December in preparation Bowl. There really is something for everyone! for the annual ‘Farleigh Hospice Light Up a Life’ event where we remember those who have lost loved ones. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON EVENT SCHEDULE MAIN STAGE 2-5pm compered by BBC Essex TOWN SIGN STAGE 2-5pm Acoustic Acts, Comedians & Storyteller STONE BRIDGE 12-6pm DJs & The Bearded Gypsy Trade Fayre Market SPRINGFIELD ROAD Arts & Crafts BOND STREET BOWL Après Ski Bar CITY CENTRE 2-5pm Walkabout acts CITY CENTRE 5pm Fireworks 04 | CM1STMAS.CO.UK cm1stmas.co.uk | 05 NUTCRACKER STILT WALKERS ONE 2 Saturday 23rd Nov 4 Life-size moving Nutcracker statues create a festive and magical scene playing homage ROLLER SKATING THE ELF SHOW to this beautiful and iconic ballet. PUDDINGS Sunday 17th Nov Saturday 30th Nov The Christmas Light Switch-on is GINGERBREAD These cheeky comedy being made even more festive this CHARACTERS characters will be appearing year with the amazing Elf Show! 3 Sunday 24th Nov in the City centre - larger Come and see the Christmas elves than life and full of festive perform incredible, captivating, Theses lovable characters will be making an spirit they will captivate festive acrobatics! appearance, handing out sweet treats to our you with their entertaining Christmas shoppers. performances. FIVE VICTORIAN CAROL SINGERS CHRISTMAS BRASS QUARTET Saturday 7th Dec Sunday 1st Dec Bringing seasonal cheer to get you in the mood 6 An oldie, but a goody, join the carol singers for your Christmas shopping, the Brass quartet for a good old-fashioned Christmas concert will be playing a mix of well-known carols and singing all your festive favourites. more modern pop classics. 7 EIGHT 9 TEN LORDS A LEAPING SANTA AND THE ELVES GRANNY TURISMO Sunday 8th Dec Saturday 14th Dec Sunday 15th Dec The world’s first, and only, shopping There’s something magical happening in Chelmsford this These lords a leaping at dizzying Santa and his little helpers will be spreading the Christmas cheer trolley dance display team! Don’t miss heights will have you mesmerized as these fabulous Grannies with their throughout the city. But have you Christmas. With a whole programme of events and acts they perform throughout pumping tunes and comedy been naughty, or have you been nice? appearing throughout the city, there is something the City centre. dance-offs. Fun for all! for everyone. A packed schedule which is not to be missed…. THE GRINCH Sunday 22nd Dec Come and meet everyone’s favourite disgruntled TEN 11 Christmas character. The Grinch will be dropping by for a visit, posing for photos with your little ones and spreading his infamous Christmas joy. SPARK! DRUMMERS Saturday 21st Dec THE UK GOSPEL CHOIR It doesn’t get more magical than this. Tuesday 24th Dec High-impact drumming, dynamic choreography and beautiful lighting With their unique blend of close harmonies and ability to design, the drummers will be putting mix traditional gospel with jazz, soul, blues, classical and 12 on a ‘glowing’ performance. latin styles, The UK Gospel Choir will sweetly serenade you into Christmas Eve. 06 | CM1STMAS.CO.UK CM1STMAS.CO.UK | 07 Riverside ‘tis the Leisure Centre season CHARITY CHRISTMAS GIFT & FOOD FAIR SNOW GARDEN Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November - Monday 25th November – Sunday 5th January - The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity Christmas The ever-popular Snow Garden held in The Gift and Food Fair will take place at Chelmsford Meadows. Situated in the middle of the mall, City Racecourse. This popular event showcases children can throw snowballs, make snow angels independent gift retailers, food sellers and and play for as long or as little as they wish in the live entertainment. fabulous fake snow. SECRET SANTA EVENT THE CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE Saturday 30th November - High Chelmer will be Early December - In association with Age UK Essex, hosting its Secret Santa event - families are invited to the giving tree will be in The Meadows, featuring help Santa’s elves to collect Christmas presents for tags with gift ideas for those in the local community children from Farleigh Hospice. Visitors will receive a that the charity supports. Gifts can be dropped off at gift idea and can purchase the item for the elves to Customer Services and will be distributed by Age UK add to the giant stocking. Essex at Christmas. FESTIVE SKATING SESSIONS TOBOGGAN RUN Take some time out from all that Christmas Throughout December - until Christmas Eve, get Every weekend before Christmas in December - shopping and step inside Chelmsford’s new ICE RINK your skates on and head down to Riverside for Plenty of fun for all ages, appearing in Chelmsford for flagship leisure centre for a magical winter Festive weekend sessions, complete with the festive weekend sessions, complete with snow the first time will be a giant inflatable toboggan run. ice skating experience at one of the best snow machine and Christmas music, will run machine and Christmas music. Situated in The Meadows, the toboggan ride will be rinks in the East of England. throughout December until Christmas Eve. a free activity for all ages to enjoy, so channel your inner cool runnings! Keep an eye out too for the centre’s popular RACE DAY CHRISTMAS PARTIES Riverside is located right in the heart of the city - skate ice show in the new year, when ‘Beauty and Thursday 12th and Friday 13th December - whatever the weather and warm up with some mulled the Beast’ will be coming to Riverside.