FESTIVE FYLDE

Fylde Council’s Tourism and Cultural Services Manager, Tim Dixon, unveils an action-packed festive season. From parklands to panto, check out the region’s forthcoming Christmas events

There’s plenty in store for the festive season! It’s the time of year when we see Christmas light switch-on events – Lytham on 19th November and both Kirkham and St Annes on 26th November. There will also be the return of the Christmas markets in Ashton Gardens in St Annes from 8th to 11th December. Support the independent traders in St Annes, Lytham and Kirkham where you’ll find many specialist boutiques if you’re looking for a special gift or that something different.

Lytham Hall gets set for a very special festive season with the Christmas Extravaganza from 5th December. The venue will be all dressed for Christmas, plus Santa’s grotto on selected dates in December – check out their website for more information on these, plus their festive events. The 78 acres of parkland are always a good reason for a walk and of course there’s the dog friendly café, located just by the Garden Hub where you’ll be able to pick up a Christmas tree, wreath or something else for a festive decoration or gift. Check out their website lythamhall.org.uk

Pantomime returns to the Lowther Pavilion from 5th December (oh yes it does!) with the Cinderella production, featuring breathtaking special effects, spectacular scenery and sparkling costumes along with plenty of traditional pantomime mayhem, laughter and chances for you to join in the fun – the clock is ticking and this will be Lytham’s most magical pantomime yet! As you’ll see on their website lowtherpavilion.co.uk there’s a packed festive line-up of live entertainment, plus a cinema programme too. The award-winning Lowther Gardens are well worth exploring too and you can also now see the recently unveiled statue of local resident and comedy legend – Bobby Ball.

Take a walk around Fairhaven Lake and check out the views from the promenade across the Ribble estuary over to Southport and Formby Point. Fairhaven Lake has seen huge investment recently and the parkland is now beginning to mature, including the Japanese Garden. Over the winter you’ll

THE 78 ACRES OF PARKLAND ARE ALWAYS A GOOD REASON FOR A WALK AND OF COURSE THERE’S THE DOG FRIENDLY CAFÉ

notice some work underway to improve some of the facilities and pathways at the lake to make for a better visitor experience. Behind the scenes there’s plenty of maintenance and preparation by the team for another busy and successful season ahead, but don’t forget that during the winter the café is open, plus there’s the Fylde-themed Adventure Golf.

For walkers, there’s Lytham promenade, Promenade Gardens in St Annes with its water features, Ashton Gardens in St Annes, Wrea Green, walks along the River Wyre near Little Eccleston and many more, with walks available to view on the website. •

For more information about things to do, upcoming events and places to visit, log on to: discoverfylde.co.uk