Brentwood Connected, the Business Improvement District (BID) across Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone is working in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council to host three free Christmas events for families this festive season. Lighting Up Brentwood, a joint event between Brentwood Connected and Brentwood Borough Council, will take place in Brentwood High Street on Saturday 23 November from 12-6pm, featuring live entertainment, food and Christmas gift buying opportunities, a Santa Parade and the Christmas light switch-on. A road closure will be in place to allow visitors to enjoy entertainment, activities and stalls in the High Street.
The Giant Christmas Bauble from Brentwood Connected will return to the Chapel Ruins, this year sponsored by Mullis & Peake. Visitors are encouraged to take selfies with this attraction and tag Brentwood Connected when posting on social media. Lighting Up Brentwood will be supported by Brentwood Theatre, Razzamataz Theatre Schools and Stagecoach Performing Arts Brentwood.
Christmas comes to Shenfield on Sunday 1 December with ‘Festive Shenfield’ from 12-6pm, a free event from Brentwood Connected, supported by Brentwood Borough Council, Brentwood Theatre, Rainer Hughes, Razzamataz Theatre Schools and Stagecoach Performing Arts Brentwood. Hutton Road will be taken over by festive activities including entertainment and walkabout acts. There will be live music performances hosted in and around Shenfield businesses, with food and drink available from the wide range of businesses on Hutton Road.
The Ingatestone Christmas Market takes place on Sunday 8 December from 12-6pm, delivered by Brentwood Connected and supported by Brentwood Borough Council, Brentwood Theatre, Razzamataz Theatre Schools and Stagecoach Performing Arts Brentwood. This popular event returns to Ingatestone Community Centre with over 50 outdoor market stalls selling food, gifts and a wide selection of festive and handmade items. There will be a community stage with live music performances throughout the day, as well as an indoor market with stalls from community groups and a Santa’s grotto. The Ingatestone Christmas Market is a long-running event, previously organised by the Rotary Club of Ingatestone, which attracts thousands of Christmas shoppers to Ingatestone. It’s well-supported by the community, including High Street businesses who will host activities and attractions on the day, encouraging visitors to explore the entire village. There will be free parking on the day at Anglo European School (Willow Green CM4 0DJ).
Kaye Thurgood, Chair of the Brentwood Business Partnership (the advisory board of Brentwood Connected), and owner of Sincerely Yours in Shenfield, said, “Working in partnership with Brentwood Borough Council, we are delighted to announce the festive events for this year, which have been carefully curated for Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone by business representatives of Brentwood Connected. I hope these events will provide a fantastic opportunity for our community to get into the festive spirit and celebrate our wonderful high streets.”
Councillor David Kendall, Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee at Brentwood Borough Council, said: "Lighting Up Brentwood is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season in our borough, and we’re excited to partner with Brentwood Connected to spread festive cheer across Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. With the Christmas lights switch-on, live entertainment, and a variety of local food and gift stalls, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to welcome residents and visitors to experience the best of what our high streets have to offer. This is a time for families to come together and enjoy the magic of Christmas in our borough."
Brentwood Connected is a unique Business Improvement District (BID) supporting the borough’s three high streets and funded by town centre businesses to improve the experience of residents, visitors, employees and businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. For information about Brentwood Connected, including events listings, business directories and local information, visit www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk. Details about local Christmas events, including Lighting Up Brentwood, Festive Shenfield and the Ingatestone Christmas Market, is available on www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/christmas.