FESTIVE magic is returning to Alcester with St Nicholas Night celebrations.
Taking place on December 6, this year will see the return of Santa’s Grotto to the High Street for the first time since 2019, courtesy of members of Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club.
Youngsters are invited to meet Father Christmas between 4pm and 7pm, next to St Nicholas Church, where he will also be handing out gifts with the help of his elves.
And to keep mum and dad warm, there’s a mulled wine and mince pie stall next door.
Rotarians are also represented in the foot parade, from 5.30pm, which finishes at the church, at the top of the High Street. It is led by the Child Bishop who will then also light the church tower and tree.
Crowds will be entertained by live music and dance routines performed by local schoolchildren and there will be a host of local charity stalls along High Street. The event’s climax will take the form of a fireworks display which can be viewed from Stratford Road at 8.45pm.
The rector of St Nicholas Church and chair of St Nicholas Night Committee, Katie Cross, said: “We are looking forward welcoming Alcester town and surrounding villages to the relaunch St Nicholas Night on December 6, the festival sate of the patron saint St Nicholas. It will be a fun-filled evening with parade, stalls, Santa’s grotto and finishing with fireworks.”
The grotto costs £5 for one child, £9 for two children or £12 for three children. Proceeds from the grotto and stall will go to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign.
Kay Blake, spokesperson for Alcester and Bidford Rotary Club, added: “We are delighted to be able to support the return of St Nicholas’ Night in Alcester which of course came to an abrupt halt with the Covid pandemic in 2020. We welcome it back complete with Santa’s Grotto, including gifts for the children and the popular mulled wine and mince pies, with all profits once again going to a fantastic cause.”
