Town’s Christmas Festival lights up Andover
On Friday 22 November Andover was alive with festive cheer as the annual Christmas Festival lit up the town.
Visitors flocked to the High Street, Chantry Centre, Bridge Street and Town Mills Riverside Park to make the most of the evening’s activities and entertainment provided by Test Valley Borough Council, InAndover from Andover BID and Andover Town Council.
Families were treated to spectacular Christmas shows such as a snow globe performance, storytelling and magic, and children had the chance to meet Father Christmas at the Chantry Centre Christmas Grotto for the first time this year.
Local bands and choirs filled the air with music as they performed live across three stages throughout the night.
Shoppers headed to the buzzing Christmas market to support local independent businesses by stocking up on a selection of artisan gifts and tucking into a range of street food and drinks. Many of the town’s shops stayed open later to welcome visitors and join in the celebrations.
The evening also saw the official switching on of the town’s Christmas lights, organised by Andover Town Council, which are this year displayed around the High Street, Western Avenue, Town Mills Riverside Park and George Yard car park.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Phil North said: “The Andover Christmas Festival is always our most popular event of the year, as it has a wonderfully positive atmosphere with lots for everyone to see and do.
“There will be a few more events coming up ahead of Christmas and we’re busy putting together our 2025 programme which will see lots of events and markets coming to Andover next year.”
To keep up to date with future events, sign-up to receive the council’s Events Newsletter at www.testvalley.gov.uk/emails or visit thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk.