Christmas starts in Frome this week

Frome’s much-loved Christmas lights switch-on and lantern parade is back this Friday, 21st November, promising food, fun, music and festive cheer.

This year’s event sees some important changes, designed to make it safer and more inclusive for everyone.

Organised by Frome Town Council, the parade this year will leave at 6pm from the North Parade Car Park and proceed towards the Christmas tree, led by Jamma de Samba. Barriers will be in place along Market Place to the bridge, creating a clear path for the parade.

Frome’s Mayor, Cllr Anita Collier, will arrive at The George ahead of the lantern parade, welcomed by the town crier and will lead the ceremony from the balcony, welcoming singer Tom Carpenter and performers from Tri.Art.

After the parade and samba party, Cllr Collier will lead the crowd in a countdown to the switching on of Frome’s Christmas lights.

She said, “I’m so looking forward to being your ‘MC’ for this year’s Christmas event, especially after such a different and quiet switch-on as your mayor during Covid! This year’s celebration will be full of the Christmas cheer you know and love but it will look and feel a little different. Please take a moment to read the information below and do share it far and wide so everyone’s in the know.”

Food, fun and music outside the library

From 3pm, enjoy a festive food court outside Frome Library, serving mulled cider, wine and apple juice, along with hot and cold treats from local traders. Come back after the parade to pick up something delicious on your way home: the food court runs until 7.30pm. There are also fairground rides, Christmas tunes and performances from Frome Town Band (5pm to 5.45pm) and Frome Street Bandits (7pm to 7.30pm)

Frome Carnival Committee will be selling light sticks at the food court; residents are encouraged to support the carnival by buying only from them. Street traders in the Market Place are not part of the event and will be asked to move on.

Travel and parking

Residents are encouraged to walk, wheel or cycle into town if they can. Roads will close from 4pm to 9pm.

Merchant’s Barton, Vicarage Street and Badcox car parks will remain open. Merchant’s Barton is recommended for those with additional access needs, and a step-free viewing area near the Christmas tree will be reserved for those who need it.

Cork Street and North Parade car parks will close from 4.30pm, and Cattle Market from 5.30pm. The filter lane from Cattle Market to Welshmill Road will stay open throughout.

Please note that Wallbridge remains closed at the time of the event.

Road closures and diversion information

Road closures operate from 4pm to 9pm on 21st November.

From the north, follow the diversion via Rodden Road, only. After Rodden Road, you will be guided onto the A362 southbound, until you re‑join your destination beyond the town centre. From the south, traffic should continue on the A362 northbound and then turn onto Rodden Road to bypass the closed town centre zone. Do not use Portway/Christchurch Street as that route is closed to through traffic during the event.

Buses

Road closures affect all bus services in the town centre between 4pm and 9pm. The D2 and D2X will start and end at the Vine Tree pub, towards Bath and Sainsbury’s. The X34 Faresaver bus will divert via Fromefield. Other local buses on 21st November will terminate/divert outside the town centre between 4pm and 9pm.

Bucket collection

As ever, donations from the night will support the Frome Christmas Get Together. “Please give generously to the official bucket collectors,” say Frome Town Council.

There is also a chance for children to visit Father Christmas in his grotto at the We Hear You office at North Parade for £4 per child – book a slot at  https://www.wehearyou.org.uk/

Find the most up-to-date information about the Christmas event at discoverfrome.co.uk.