Christmas is on the move to Civic Centre

Christ Church rector, the Rev Paul Dundas welcomes the large crowd of Lisburn city centre shoppers who celebrated the real meaning of the season at a Community Carol Service in the open air around the Christmas tree in Market Square on Saturday 11th December.

The decision to move the celebrations, which were traditionally held in the Sunken Gardens, was made by Lisburn City Council in light of the ongoing public realm works being carried out in the city centre.

It was also revealed, while a Christmas tree of some description will be placed in the Market Square, it will be smaller than usual. A spokesperson for Lisburn City Council explained: “Due to the public realm works in Bow Street and in the Market Square area, this year’s Christmas Switch-on, run by Lisburn City Council, will be held at Lagan Valley Island on Thursday, November 21, from 6.30pm.

“Details of this event will be made available through the press and by Council promotion.

“The Lantern Parade will take place in the grounds of Lagan Valley Island, with some new event features.

“It is planned that a Christmas Tree will be erected in the City Centre.

“This will be a smaller Christmas Tree than normal and, subject to the public realm works, will be located somewhere in the Market Square area.

“There will be other feature displays and seasonal lighting installed across the City during December to enhance the area. On-street animation activity will also take place throughout the month of December with amplified music that has become a popular background to city centre visits at this time of year.”