THE CHRISTMAS spirit arrived in Redruth on Saturday, November 30 as the traditional Christmas lights switch-on marked the start of the town’s festive celebrations.
The Redruth in Lights Festival brought the community together in a celebration of the town’s Christmas spirit. The day got underway with the first festive town market of the season, with over 40 traders in Market Hall, Market Strand and Fore Street offering local food produce, crafts and gifts. Throughout the afternoon, there was live music, more festive food stalls and carol singers in the town centre.
The day also saw the opening of Redruth Town Council’s brand new Christmas Grotto. The council team transformed Redruth Community Centre into a winter wonderland at the North Pole and Father Christmas was on hand to meet children and hand out gifts. The Grotto will be open on December 7 and 14, it is free for all but donations will be collected for Penhaligon’s Friends.
Late in the afternoon, the lantern parade gathered at St Rumon’s Gardens for carols and the Mummers’ Play before setting off up Fore Street and onto the Flowerpot Chapel car park. There was a short interlude before the lights were switched on at The Miner Statue.
The traditional Redruth Wassail followed the lights switch-on, leading the festivities through the town and finishing in the newly renovated Buttermarket.