Christmas Cracker event attracts crowds to the City Centre
St Albans Christmas Cracker – the fun-packed event that launches the District’s festive season – attracted thousands of people to the City Centre.
The annual street party took place on Sunday 20 November with St Peters Street closed to traffic.
The entertainment included live music, a Santa’s grotto, funfair rides, face painting and street performers.
There were also scores of market stalls selling takeaway food and drink as well as seasonal gifts.
The Christmas lights provided a seasonal backdrop with pyrotechnics on the main stage ensuring a dramatic finish to the day.
St Albans City and District Council organised the Christmas Cracker which is sponsored by St Albans BID.
Councillor Danny Clare, Lead Councillor for Events, said:
I was delighted that so many people turned out for this fantastic occasion.
The Christmas Cracker is a wonderful way to start the festive season and the response from our residents and visitors was tremendous. The rain did not put them off from coming in huge numbers.
The Cracker gives a much-needed boost to our local economy – our shops, pubs and restaurants – by bringing many extra visitors to the City Centre.
There was great input and creativity from local community groups and performers, and it was great to see so much local gift items, food and beverage on show.
St Albans BID sponsored the main stage and pyrotechnics. BID manager Vivien Cannon said:
The Christmas Cracker was a great fun event which we thank the Council’s events team for delivering.
Our family of shops, packed full of unique and inspiring gifts, will hopefully have an excellent festive season following the event - much needed during these challenging economic times.
For inspirational gift ideas and a What’s On guide to Christmas, download the St Albans Christmas Guide.
Pictures by Stephanie Belton
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.