Big plans for switch on of Christmas lights in Offaly town

THE Christmas lights in Birr will be officially switched on on Saturday week next, November 26th.

The Birr Christmas Lights Group has organised an afternoon and evening of activity to coincide with the switching on of the lights.

For the last two years they were only able to have a scaled down event due to Covid restrictions and there was a drive-by Santa on Oxmantown Mall, but it is back to full blast this year, with Santa Claus returning to meet the children and also the ever popular Santa train is making a reappearance.

This year activity will switch to the newly done up Green Street where Santa will be on hand from 2.30pm-5.30pm to meet all the local children. There will be face painting and magicians for the children and some seasonal mulled wine for the adults. And the Santa train will be operating in Green Street during the afternoon as well, which is sure to be a popular attraction.

Over the years this event has grown bigger and bigger and the impressive new look Green Street will be an ideal location to host the event this year.

From 5.30pm focus will switch to Emmet Square where there will be music and entertainment leading up to the arrival of Santa Claus to turn on the Christmas lights at 7pm. Hopefully Santa will arrive safely and not encounter some of the mishaps he had in getting to the square in previous years. Remember one year he got stuck in the chimney in the Garda Station and the fire brigade had to rescue him!!

So put Saturday November 26th in your diary and get along to see the official switch on of Christmas in Birr. It promises to be a great day.