Town to transform into ‘Snowsbury’ for sparkling Christmas celebrations

Shrewsbury is preparing for a White Christmas welcome this festive period as the town becomes ‘Snowsbury’ with new street signs and cool Yule fun.

A giant snow globe, where you can step into a winter scene, light projected snowflakes on prominent buildings and street performers will all be part of the Snowsbury-inspired activities from Shrewsbury BID.

Shrewsbury BID manager Kirsten Henly said: “It’s a quirky and engaging theme which we can have some fun with. It certainly fits the town’s reputation as an original one-off destination.

“It’s a different take on the traditional notion of a White Christmas to promote the town’s appeal for visitors and seasonal shoppers looking for a magical destination at Christmas.”

The Christmas snow globe will offer all ages the chance to have their photograph taken inside the attraction in The Square on Saturday 5th December from 10am to 4pm.

Snowflakes will fall around the town thanks to light projections by new media light artist Andy McKeown. As well as projecting snow onto the Market Hall from Lights Switch-On Night, McKeown has been commissioned by Shrewsbury BID to create one-off lighting shows to be projected onto the Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery and The Old Market Hall in The Square on Wednesday 25th November and Wednesday 2nd December.  The light show at The Old Market Hall will be interactive, with the public able to wind up a projector to change the speed of the snowflakes.

There will be Snowsbury fun on Saturday 21st November when seasonal street performers bring a colourful touch of theatre to Christmas shopping in the town centre.

Shrewsbury hosts its most varied Christmas programme this year with a variety of one-off events planned by many different organisers, including a festive Eat Street Shrewsbury (18th November), an outdoor skate rink at The Parade Shopping Centre (21st November), and the first Christmas Festival in The Quarry (12th and 13th December). Regular favourites such as the Christmas Lights Switch-On (18th November), Carols in The Square (16th December) and the Christmas Farmers Market in The Square (19th December) will also draw the crowds.

Kirsten added: “We believe Shrewsbury – or Snowsbury – is the place to be this Christmas. The business and local community is pulling out all the stops to make it a memorable and enjoyable time for everyone to get into the festive spirit.”

For more details on Christmas activities visit originalshrewsbury.co.uk