Melton Mowbray’s Magical Christmas – Shop Local, Celebrate Big

Melton Mowbray is set to sparkle this Christmas! The town will shine bright with festive lights and a stunning 30ft Norwegian Spruce tree funded by Melton Borough Council and sourced from Welford Christmas Tree Farm. The tree will arrive on the 19 November, creating the perfect festive backdrop for the return of the much-loved Victorian Christmas Market. With over one hundred stalls, live entertainment, and late-night shopping, it’s the ideal time support local businesses. 

Councillor Sharon Butcher, Portfolio Holder Growth and Prosperity, said: 
 “We’re delighted to fund the Christmas lights and tree this year, creating a festive atmosphere that celebrates Melton’s unique character. To further support our town centre and independent businesses, we’re also offering four days of free parking in the lead-up to Christmas—making it easier for residents and visitors to shop local and enjoy those final festive purchases. Each year, the Melton Mowbray Christmas lights switch-on attracts large crowds, and this year promises to be no different. This celebration is also a great chance to shine a spotlight on our town centre, supporting our brilliant independent businesses.” 

“There is so much to enjoy in Melton Mowbray across the whole town. We always work hard to create a family-friendly Christmas atmosphere in Melton Mowbray, and this year is no exception. All these events are a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit.” 

Melton Mowbray’s Christmas season will commence, seeing partnership across Melton Borough Council, Melton Mowbray Town Estate and Melton BID to host a weekend of festivities. The celebrations begin with the Christmas Lights Switch-On on Friday 28 November starting at 7pm, culminating in the official Christmas Lights Switch-On at 7:30pm. The evening will feature special guests, including Santa whose royal connections add an extra touch of magic to the event. Headlining the event, East 17, who had a Christmas number one hit ‘Stay’, will bring festive cheer and nostalgic hits to the stage, kicking off a weekend of live music, street theatre, and Victorian-themed entertainment. 

The Victorian Christmas Market running from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November, will be open from 11am until 9pm on Friday, with late night shopping available, and from 10am until 6pm on Saturday and from 10am until 4pm on Sunday. With over one hundred stalls, live entertainment, and late-night shopping, it’s the ideal time to support local businesses. As part of the Christmas collaboration, Stockyard will host a Christmas Market on the Saturday and Sunday transforming the whole of Melton Mowbray into a Victorian winter wonderland for the weekend.  

Enhancing the festive atmosphere is a full weekend of live music, featuring N-Trance on Saturday at 5 pm and the remarkable Adele tribute artist, Natalie Black, who will bring the Christmas Fair to a close at 3 pm on Sunday. 

Councillor Sharon Butcher added: “There is so much to enjoy  across the whole town. We always work hard to create a family-friendly Christmas atmosphere in Melton Mowbray, and this year is no exception. All these events are a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit.” 

Throughout the Victorian Christmas Fair visitors can also enjoy: 

• Free one hour Victorian themed tours by HistoryFare, Friday 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Saturday and Sunday tours depart 10am, 12.30 and 3pm.  No need to book, just meet at the Old Medieval Manor House at the top of King Street. 
• Funfair on Leicester Street and a festive trail on Sherrard Street 
• Melton Mowbray Lions’ Santa’s Grotto in the Bell Centre. 
• St Mary’s Church’s enchanting annual Christmas Tree Festival from Friday 28 November to Tuesday 3 December. 
• Hidden Food Tours: On 28 November, enjoy an exclusive tour of Melton’s most celebrated food and drink producers. Departs 10:30am and returns mid-afternoon, in time to soak up the atmosphere of Melton’s Victorian Christmas Market. 
• Wreath Making Competition and Festival at St John’s Church on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, 10am until 4pm. 
• Leicestershire County Council will be putting on a FREE bus service to the Victorian Christmas Fair on Sunday 30 November- details to follow. 

Additional events throughout December, including: 

• 73rd Melton & Belvoir Agricultural Society Annual Christmas Fatstock Show & Sale - Saturday 6 December at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market 
• Saturday 6 to Sunday 7 December is the second Stockyard Christmas Market weekend of the season. 
• The Mayor’s Christmas Carol concert at St Mary’s Church, on Thursday 4 December starting at 6.30pm. 
• Melton Mowbray Christmas Folk Trail on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December from 12pm to 10pm throughout Melton Town Centre. 
• Rotary’s annual Santa Fun Run at Melton Country Park, on Sunday 7th December from 9.30am. 
• Free Festive Parking returns in selected council-owned long stay car parks; Burton Road, Scalford Road and Mill Street on Friday 13 December, Saturday 14 December, Friday 20 December and Saturday 21 December. 
• With the last town centre market before Christmas, Tuesday 23 December. 

The Christmas lights will keep glistening until 6 January, better known as the twelfth night. 

Shop local, soak up the festive spirit, and celebrate big in Melton Mowbray this Christmas. For a full list of events and timings visit www.discovermelton.com.  

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For press queries contact: communications@melton.gov.uk