THERE’S no denying it, the countdown to Christmas is well and truly on.
At the weekend, festive festivities saw the town’s Christmas lights switched-on for the first time this year.
Shoppers heading to Broad Street will be walking in a winter wonderland, thanks to the installation of some Alpine-style huts, offering roast chestnuts, mulled wine, German sausages and other seasonal treats.
And then there’s the lights … all 400,000 of them, including a ribbon-wrapped slimline tree.
To celebrate, REDA (Reading’s Economy and Destination Agency) arranged for bands to come and play, including RASPO, and singer Natalie Gray.
It’s not the only part of town that is getting ready for Christmas.
Broad St. Mall will this weekend welcome Santa.
The jolly bearded man is taking up residency on Saturdays and Sundays, until December 19, when he will be around daily right up until Christmas Eve.
Places cost £5, and need to be booked.
The shopping centre will also be hosting lantern making workshops on Saturday from 10am and Sunday from 10pm.
The finished beacons of light will be used in the Reading Lantern Parade, which takes place in Broad Street on Saturday, December 10.
And The Oracle has Christmas crazy golf, while also hosting a Giving Tree until Wednesday, December 14.
Last year, more than 2,000 presents were donated, and organisers are hoping for even more this year.
The donated presents are given to Reading-based charities to share with children who would otherwise go without this Christmas.
More photos in this Wednesday’s print edition of Reading Today
