This year’s Christmas in Ventnor festivities will take place on the 16th December and will be bigger and better than ever. This year’s celebrations are being organised by St. Catherine’s Church, Ventnor Carnival Association and Ventnor Town Council and feature live music, a lantern parade, and carols in Ventnor Park. There are indoor craft markets at various locations, including The Winter Gardens and Ventnor Baptist Church. The craft market at the Winter Gardens will be raising funds for St. Catherine’s School. We will also be welcoming a team of storytellers - who will be performing at various locations around town during the day.

Santa’s and his elves have been busy getting the grotto in the town centre preparing the grotto and will be open during the day. Better Days Café will be leading Christmas crafts and hosting a choir.

There are free Lantern Making Workshops on Saturday 2nd and Saturday 9th December. More details to follow.

Free parking will be available at all the Town Council car parks.

On Saturday 16th December there will be live music in Spring Hill Gardens featuring some of Ventnor’s favourite performers – with the stage managed by Bethan John.

Ventnor Carnival Association are organising a Best Dressed Window Competition and a ‘Window Spot’ – a swell as the lantern parade. There will be awards for the ‘Best Lantern’, and ‘Best Fancy Dress’ in a range of categories.

The Parade will assemble on the Green in Dudley Road from 5.00 pm and make its way to Ventnor Park – including Santa on his sleigh, the Vectis Corps of Drums and Ventnor Comic Jazz Band.

The Carols in the Park will feature many of our festive favourites led by the Undercliff Singers and Abbey Brass. Santa will of course be making a prominent appearance during the event.

Ventnor Mayor – Steve Cooper said – ‘I hope you will be able to join us for our Christmas celebrations this year– the town’s community coming together to celebrate Christmas. It’s great to see so many activities going on in town. Many thanks to the organisers and to the businesses and groups that are participating. ‘

For more information or to get involved please contact Tony McCarthy on [email protected] or 07932 890679.