Christmas in Sheffield to be bigger and brighter but still no switch-on
“This is the biggest, most ambitious Christmas offer we have ever had”
Sheffield’s Christmas festivities will be bigger, brighter, wider and longer this year - but there will be no switch-on.
The city council has unveiled plans for activities from November to January, the biggest ever Christmas market, lights in new areas including Castlegate and Heart of the City, and a ticketed celebration event for 6,000 on Devonshire Green.
Highlights include a huge snow slide on Surrey Street and an artificial ice rink on Tudor Square.
But the days of 20,000 people at a ‘big bang’ switch-on are over, the authority has confirmed.
Councillor Ben Miskell, chair of the economic development, skills and culture committee, said the growth of the market meant it was no longer safe to have so many people outside the town hall.
This year’s activities also aimed to keep people in the city centre for longer - and keep them coming back - so they spent their money locally.
He added: “This is the biggest, most ambitious Christmas offer we have ever had.
““This is about creating a brilliant Christmas for Sheffield residents and visitors, while supporting our local businesses and bringing people into the city centre.
“People will be able to walk around for longer and have more fun and they’ll be more likely to spend their money in the city.”
He added: “I’m particularly excited that we’ll be bringing a Christmas lights spectacular to Devonshire Green for the first time. It will be a fantastic way to round off our opening weekend and bring even more festive atmosphere to this part of the city centre.
“The return of an artificial ice rink to Tudor Square for the first time in more than a decade is another really exciting addition and, alongside our fantastic Christmas Markets, live entertainment and activities throughout the season, there will be something for everyone.
“With celebrations running from November right through December and into January, there’s lots to look forward to this Christmas in Sheffield.”
The market is set to have a record 50 cabins, 80 per cent of them run by locals, he added, as well as the Alpine Lodge bar in the Peace Gardens and big wheel on The Moor.
It opens on Thursday, November 12.
Last year, Christmas sales in the city centre were £64.1m, with traders making almost a third of their annual income in the period, Coun Miskell said.
The Christmas opening weekend is on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, with street entertainment, children’s characters and craft activities alongside music from local bands and live performances.
It culminates on Sunday, November 15 with a celebration event for families at Devonshire Green, “bringing a new festive lights spectacle to this part of the city centre.”
For the first time in more than a decade, Christmas in Sheffield will feature an artificial ice rink, in Tudor Square, which is set to stay open into January, the city council says.
The authority says more details will be announced over coming weeks.
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