Festive attractions confirmed for Love Weston Winter Wonderland extravaganza

The wait is almost over – this year's fantastic new Weston-super-Mare family event launches in the town on Thursday 22nd November, promising a vast array of attractions which will get local people in the festive mood.

The 'Love Weston Winter Wonderland', organised by the Weston-super-Mare Business Improvement District (BID) team in conjunction with North Somerset Council, will see the Town Square transformed into a festive extravaganza for an astonishing 45 straight days, with fun rides and seasonal food and drink for the whole family.

The 'Wonderland', which is free to enter, will feature a range of events supplied and managed by Event Attractions, who have brought other attractions to the seaside resort this year including the popular log flume.

The main draw of the 'Winter Wonderland' for many visitors is sure to be the eco-friendly ice skating rink which will take centre-stage at the event. This special ice rink, made up of synthetic nylon, is specifically designed to leave no carbon footprint, as it does not require generators to run continuously to keep the ice at its required temperatures as a traditional ice rink would.

Also on offer throughout the festive season will be a Christmas Carousel, Santa's Swings, Dodgems, Snowman's Tea Party, Hook A Santa and Friends Game, Penguin Party Peddle Boats, Bungee Trampolines, Clown Around Play Zone, Ski Glider and a Helter Skelter. The skating rink and festive rides will be accompanied by a selection of independent retailers selling food and drink to keep the winter chill away, including Bratwurst sausages, a Christmas Carvery, Mulled Wine, doughnuts, waffles and crepes.

The festive fun continues next week with the annual Christmas lights switch-on, organised by Weston Town Council, which takes place on Thursday 29th November. 

A civic procession, led by Police horses, will begin from the Blakehay Theatre at 5:55pm, and the Weston-super-Mare Christmas lights will be switched on at 6pm in the Town Square.

Actor Terry Gleed (who wowed local crowds last year as Wishie Washee last year and will be playing the role of Muddles in this year's Sleeping Beauty pantomime at The Playhouse) will do the honours, alongside Town Mayor Cllr David Hitchins and a very special guest from one of the Mayor's chosen charities - Weston-super-Mare Disability Information & Advice Line (DIAL). 

Following the lights switch-on, a free display of fireworks will be fired from the Winter Gardens at 8pm, which can be viewed from the Town Square. This display will officially kick off the start of late night shopping, every Thursday evening in the town until 9pm. 

Shoppers have an extra incentive to visit the town each Thursday this year, with the Sovereign Shopping Centre offering free parking every Thursday to anyone arriving after 3pm. In addition, throughout each and every Thursday late night shopping evening in the town, there will be a programme of street entertainers performing, including circus acts and an appearance from the very popular Titan the Robot.

Tim Lamb, Chair of the Weston BID team, says: "We are looking forward to seeing lots of local people supporting our town this Christmas by coming along to our new event which is part of our 'Love Weston' campaign. 

We have all worked together to put together an event that really does offer something for everyone, and which will establish Weston-super-Mare as a key festive destination. I would like to encourage everyone to come along and support our town".

For latest news and photographs from the event, visit the dedicated 'Wonderland' website (www.westonwinterwonderland.com) or like the new facebook page and join in the festive fun (facebook.com/westonwinterwonderland) for exclusive competitions and latest news.