Chorley lines up some Christmas crackers for 2015

CHORLEY is gearing up for another spectacular Christmas this year with plans to bring back the giant festive Ferris wheel that dominated the Chorley skyline in 2012.

Chorley Council is bringing back the 100 foot Ferris wheel in December as one of many Christmas attractions that will transform the town centre into a festive winter wonderland.

The Christmas celebrations will start on Saturday 14 November with the Christmas lights switch on event live on Market Street and a Christmas market along Fazakerley Street. 
The Christmas lights switch on show will feature local and known singers and groups with a yet-to-be-announced ‘celebrity’ lined up to flick the big switch.

Due to popular demand, Father Christmas is also set to return to Astley Hall every Saturday and Sunday in December with tickets set to go on sale in October and the town centre will come alive with a pantomime at the end of November and festive music and entertainment every Saturday in December.

Plus, Father Christmas’ magical, talking Christmas post box will be making a return to Market Walk in November, enabling children (and adults) to post their Christmas lists and letters direct to Santa. 

Councillor Peter Wilson, who has responsibility for the town centre and events at Chorley Council, said: “Christmas may seem a long way off but it will be here before we know it and we’ve already got lots of exciting plans in the pipeline to make Chorley’s Christmas celebrations the best yet.

“At the end of last year we asked people what Christmas attraction they would like to see in Chorley and the majority voted for the return of the giant festive Ferris Wheel, so we’re delighted to see it come back. 

“The Ferris wheel is a fantastic Christmas attraction, measuring over 100 feet high and offering people a spectacular bird’s eye view of Chorley and beyond.  If you didn’t get chance to have a go last time, I would certainly recommend it.

“Over the past few years, the council has worked hard to create a real festive buzz about the town and offer something different from other areas.  We want to continue building on this to encourage more people to visit the town and boost the local economy.

“We’ll be providing more details about all of our attractions over the forthcoming weeks and look forward to revealing even more Christmas surprises as we go along.”

Chorley’s festive Ferris wheel, can take a maximum of 144 passengers in 24 gondolas.  It will have a festive scene at the entrance and will be brightly lit in the evening with Christmas food stalls close by.