Business, cultural, and community organisations are joining forces to ensure Mansfield has a Christmas to remember this year.

Mansfield District Council said financial constraints on its budget meant there will not be the usual big switch-on event.

But, thanks to sponsors and support from partners, the town is still hosting many festive events and activities for all ages.

Joining forces with the council are Mansfield BID, Mansfield Building Society, The Red Bar and Grill, The Swan pub, Switch Up, Four Seasons Shopping Centre, Inspire, Mansfield Rotary Club, and First Arts to provide a varied and community-orientated programme of entertainment throughout the festive season.

There will be live performances, gift and craft markets, a Santa’s grotto and sleigh, fairground rides, a giant snow globe, and arts and crafts.

One of the main events will be Mansfield’s Cosy Christmas on Saturday, 23rd November, with live performances from a local choir and brass band. On the same day Aladdin, this year’s panto at the Palace Theatre, will launch.

On the first three Saturdays in December, Mansfield BID is hosting family fun days.

A 25ft Norwegian spruce Christmas tree will be in the Market Place, as usual, courtesy of sponsors Ron Brooks Motor Group and Trentbarton, which are this year’s sponsors of Christmas in Mansfield. Other contributions towards the cost of the tree have come from the Mayor’s 500 Fund, and from Mansfield district councillors Angie Jackson and Caroline Ellis, and Anne Callaghan in her capacity as a county councillor.

Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “This year, Christmas in Mansfield will be all about the community coming together to spread the seasonal spirit throughout the festive period and about showing the spirit of ‘Our Mansfield’ and helping out in difficult times.

“By working with partners we will be delivering a timetable jam-packed with family entertainment, which should keep the town centre busy, vibrant, and full of life.

“We are incredibly grateful and encouraged by how business and community groups have come together to ensure we will have a Christmas to remember in Mansfield this year.”

Jay Rowlinson, chief executive of Mansfield BID, said: “We can’t wait to get the Christmas timetable into action. It has been a fantastic joint effort with various partners who put Mansfield’s interests first and foremost.

“There will be something for everyone and a real heart-warming community feel to the town centre this year. We urge everyone to support the local economy by buying their gifts and festive treats right here on their doorstep.”

As the programme of events for Christmas in Mansfield develops, further details can be found at: www.mansfield.gov.uk/christmasinmansfield.

Events timetable

Tuesday, 29th October: Launch of the annual Secret Santa Appeal.

Saturday, 2nd November: Santa’s Grotto opens at Four Seasons Shopping Centre. The grotto will be open each Saturday and Sunday until Friday, 22nd November from when it opens daily until Tuesday, 24th December.

Saturday, 23rd November: Mansfield’s Cosy Christmas, a community gathering from 3pm to 6pm in the Memorial Garden behind the Old Town Hall with projections on to the Old Town Hall, live performances by a local choir, brass band, and an operatic solo artist, as well as crafts, face painting, and festive giveaways.

Saturday, 23rd November: Opening night of the Mansfield Palace panto, Aladdin. It runs until Tuesday, 31st December. Tickets can be bought at: https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre/

Saturday, 23rd November: Launch of a Christmas-themed, self-led trail, put together by First Art and a local illustrator. It will be free and take visitors around the town centre and Four Seasons Shopping Centre.

Saturday, 23rd November: Mansfield Inspire Library Christmas Market.

Wednesday 27th and Thursday, 28th November: Christmas Market on the Pier at The Red. 

Saturday, 30th November: Christmas Fair at St John’s Church Centre.

Saturday, 30th November: Christmas activities at Four Seasons Shopping Centre.

Saturday, 30th November and Sunday. 1st December: Christmas Market at The Swan yard. There will also be fairground rides, crafts, Santa, a horse and carriage, and street food.

Saturday, 7th December: First of three Mansfield BID family fun days at the Buttercross and West Gate with Mansfield Rotary Club’s Santa sleigh, giveaways, Princess Jasmine from Aladdin, face painters, fair ground rides (small charge), live performances by the Forest Singers and solo artists, festive games, and seasonal silent disco courtesy of Canvas. This event will also feature boxing sessions, a virtual reality headset, and winter warmer hand-outs from Switch Up.

Saturday, 7th December: Christmas activities in Four Seasons Shopping Centre.

Sunday, 8th December:  Secret Santa Appeal closes.

Saturday, 14th December: Mansfield BID family fun day at the Buttercross and West Gate with giant snow globe, balloon modelling, face painting, Mansfield Rotary Club’s Santa sleigh, and live performances from the Moonshiners singers and a Little Princess solo artist.

Saturday, 14th December: Christmas activities in Four Seasons Shopping Centre.

Saturday, 21st December: Mansfield BID family fun day at the Buttercross and West Gate with street entertainment, giant snow globe, craft activities, face painting, and drumming sessions.

Saturday, 21st December: Christmas activities in Four Seasons Shopping Centre.