Ripon gets set for Saturday’s festive lights switch on
Ripon’s festive season gets into full swing on Saturday, with the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights, combined with an afternoon of family entertainment.
The illuminations will come on at 5pm and before then, Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm onwards with Santa and his reindeer, free fairground rides and live music between 3pm and 6pm.
The event is being organised by the city council, with support from Ripon Business Improvement District.
Festive lights on Fishergate are ready for Saturday evening’s city-wide switch on
Enhancements have been made to the city council’s decorative displays thanks to £4,000 of funding from the BID and the £7,000 raised through the Christmas Lights Appeal, run by Councillor Eamon Parkin during his three consecutive years in office as Mayor of Ripon between May 2019 and May 2022
The year-on-year improvements ensure that the city centre and adjoining streets will be lit with festive lights throughout the season.
For the second year running, the BID has paid for the production and distribution of 25,000 brochures, promoting Ripon as an attractive retail destination for both residents and visitors.
The brochure, which is being delivered to homes in the city and surrounding areas, highlights a strong mix of independent traders, while providing details about the events that will be happening in Ripon, between now and New Year’s Eve.
Main picture: Santa and his reindeer are due to arrive at 1pm
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Eve of coronation celebrations highlight Ripon’s royal connectionsResidents were rocking in Ripon last night as the ancient city kicked off celebrations for the new king and queen with an eve of coronation concert.
With connections to monarchy going back to 886 AD, when Alfred the Great is said to have recognised the bravery of locals for fighting off a Viking incursion with the award of a ceremonial horn, Ripon has remained staunchly royal and loyal.
The Market Square, where Royalists forces of Charles I fought off Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary troops in a Civil War skirmish in 1643, provided a fitting setting to celebrate the imminent crowning of the descendant who shares his name.
Crowds in front of Ripon Town Hall
The stage for last night’s free concert featuring the tribute acts Jersey Beyond, Aftersun Party Band (pictured below) and Complete Madness (main picture) was located in front of Ripon Town Hall where two plaques are in place to mark visits of the then Prince of Wales
The first came in 1994, and the second in 2002, when he became a Freeman of the City in recognition of his contribution to Ripon’s regeneration, which included the building of a new library and The Arcade retail development.
Amid the nostalgic rock and pop music from the 60s, 70s and 80s, came the ever-present link to the city’s historic past, when Patricio Maglio, a member of the city’s hornblower team, set the watch at 9pm.
Today (Saturday) following the Coronation of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Westminster Abbey – which can be watched on large television screens in Ripon Cathedral starting at 9.30am – there will be further revelry on Market Square, with musical entertainment from 3pm and free fairground rides from 11am until 8pm.
The festivities will finish with a fireworks display between 10.50pm and 11pm.
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Fireworks finale will end Ripon’s coronation day celebrationsA fireworks display will provide a spectacular end to coronation day celebrations in Ripon’s Market Square on Saturday night.
North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service have given the go-ahead to a 10-minute display starting at 10.50pm.
The return of pyrotechnics to the city centre follows the cancellation in 2021 and 2022 of Ripon’s traditional New Year’s Eve displays, because of safety concerns about the launch area for the fireworks at the rear of the town hall.
This issue has now been resolved with approval given to a new launch area on The Arcade Car Park.
The Market Square, which has been decked in bunting created by Ripon Community Poppy Project, will be a focal point for the free-to-attend event organised by Ripon City Council to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Today (Saturday) from 11am until 8pm, there will be free fairground rides and from 3pm onwards there will be performances on stage from Cilla & Friends; Katherine Jenkins tribute, Midnight Soul Sisters, and an 80s Pop tribute band.
The Flash: Queen tribute band takes centre stage at 9.30pm to give a rousing build up to the fireworks finale.
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Reindeer head to Ripon for Saturday’s Christmas lights switch onRipon’s festive season gets into full swing this week, with late night shopping tomorrow and the switch on of the city’s Christmas lights on Saturday.
Tomorrow, eight independent retailers located on North Steet and Fishergate will remain open until 8pm and there is the opportunity for shoppers to win a hamper.
The participating retailers are: The Castle, The GreenHouse, Memorable Moments. Carlton Couture Bridal, Absolute Bliss Health & Beauty, Eastwick, St Michael’s Hospice and Halls of Ripon department store.
On Saturday, Ripon Market Square will be a hive of activity from 1pm ahead of the Christmas lights switch on, which takes place at 5pm.
Santa’s reindeer return to Ripon Market Square on Saturday afternoon
The reindeer, which proved popular when they visited Ripon for last year’s switch on will be returning with Santa and once again and there will also be free fairground rides and a climbing wall for children to enjoy.
The Ripon City Council event will also provide free musical entertainment from 2pm with singer-songwriter Freddie Cleary followed by Christmas songs from Tamsin and Kaylie, before the Jersey Beyond tribute act take centre stage.
This year, the council’s festive programme in Ripon is being supported by Ripon Business Improvement District, which is paying for the production and distribution of a Christmas brochure, setting out the events that will be happening in the city between now and New Year’s Eve.
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Restrictions mean no Santa at Ripon Christmas marketThe tightening of rules for public gatherings, mean that Santa won’t be seen in Ripon’s cabmen’s shelter on Sunday – but the Christmas market, with free fairground rides for children will still go ahead.
Changes affecting both indoor and outdoor venues and events, were announced this week by the government, as part of its Plan B designed to tackle the Omicron variant of covid.
Ripon City Council announced on its Facebook page:
“Unfortunately, the new COVID rules mean that Father Christmas will not be able to return to the cabmen’s shelter this week.”
The rare and historic listed building (pictured below) was transformed into a temporary grotto to coincide with the switch on of the city’s festive lights on 20 November.
Santa, who arrived on that day with two reindeer, attracted a large queue of families, whose children went to see him.
Though the grotto is now closed, families and other visitors, will still be welcome on Market Square between 10am and 3pm on Sunday.
Free fairground rides for children will be in place next to the latest in the series of Little Bird Artisan Markets.
The following advice has been provided by the council for those planning to attend:
- People going to events are strongly advised to take a lateral flow test at home before attending
- Anyone with a positive test result must stay at home, and household members should follow national guidance for close contacts
- Face coverings should be worn indoors and in crowded spaces
- Keep a respectful social distance between yourselves and people who are not in your group
- Do not travel to the event if you are feeling unwell. If you start to feel unwell whilst at an event, you should leave the site immediately
- Follow all covid-19 measures in place at events, including regular hand hygiene
Ripon’s invitation to family funfair seekersWith no funfair on Harrogate Stray this Bank Holiday, families across the district with younger children are being invited to visit Ripon.
Saturday and Sunday will see the city hold its second summer weekend event on Market Square, with two fairground roundabouts and a climbing wall free of charge.
This follows the Yorkshire Day weekend, that saw the city hold its first large-scale public event since the covid lockdowns.
While this weekend’s activities are principally aimed at people living in Ripon and the surrounding areas, families from further afield can also attend.
City council leader, Andrew Williams, said:
“People from across the district are invited to join in the fun of the fair.
“We have two rides for little ones and a climbing wall for older children.”
Family groups gathered on Ripon Market Square for the tribute acts concert held as part of the Yorkshire Day weekend
Those visiting from outside Ripon, who would like to stay later, are also invited to attend Saturday night’s free concert, featuring three tribute acts performing on a stage in front of Ripon Town Hall.
The children’s rides and climbing wall will be open from 2pm until 8pm on Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday. The musical entertainment starts at 7pm on Saturday.
On Sunday, from 10am until 3pm the next in the series of Little Bird artisan markets, featuring handmade goods produced locally, will also be held on Market Square.
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Ripon is ready to rock this weekendRipon will be rocking on Saturday when four musical acts perform in the city’s ancient square.
The Yorkshire Day Weekend will also feature free fairground rides for children, fireworks and a Little Bird Artisan Market.
The weekend has been arranged by Ripon City Council, which is funding the events from the parish precept paid by council tax payers.
It will be the city’s first mass public gathering since the relaxation of covid restrictions on July 19.
In line with the council’s family-friendly policy, two free fairground rides for young children will operate from 2pm until 8pm on Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday.
For older children, a climbing wall will be in place for use free of charge.
Ripon’s first Little Bird Artisan Market this year was held on Market Square in May.
Music takes centre stage from 5.45pm on Saturday, when local singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist Freddie Cleary performs.
He will be followed by Elton John, Amy Winehouse and Queen tribute acts, whose respective performances will begin at 7pm, 7.45pm and 9.45pm.
A more traditional performer will be on Market Square at 9pm, when a hornblower’s blasts at the four corners of the obelisk will signal the setting of the night watch.
Ripon’s day of fairground fun and entertainment will be brought to a sparkling crescendo with a Saturday night fireworks display.
Cupcakes by Ripon-based When the Cake Door Opens will be among the items for sale at Sunday’s market.
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Between 10am and 3pm on Sunday’s Yorkshire Day, the Little Bird Artisan Market will showcase more than 50 businesses, selling goods handmade or produced in the Yorkshire area.
Last month the market attracted many local people and visitors to the city centre, who browsed stalls selling an array of crafts, homeware, skin products, candles, clothing, photography, wood crafts and other goods.
