Micklegate celebrates start of winter festival with lights switch-on (From York Press)

Micklegate in York celebrates its winter festival with a Christmas lights switch-on

10:47am Saturday 24th November 2012 in News

MICKLEGATE celebrated the start to its winter festival last night when the Lord Mayor switched on its Christmas lights.

Traders on the street clubbed together to buy decorations for the street’s Christmas tree and celebrated an official switch-on for the first time last year.

This year, Coun Keith Hyman said the Micklegate Action Group had worked hard, making the most of the Queen’s visit to the city and to develop the marketing of the area.

Jack Baber, owner of Bill Baber Knitwear and a member of the Micklegate Quarter, said: “It is a symbolic moment signalling the start of our winter festival. We want to get people on the street, introduce the Micklegate Quarter, and drum up support for membership of the Micklegate Quarter next year.”

Other events taking place during the festival include an affordable art and Christmas craft fair at Bar Lane studios and a children’s storytelling events at We Are Your Emporium on December 1, a visit to the street from Father Christmas, The Stained Glass Centre Christmas fair and a children’s Christmas crafts event at York Baptist Church on December 8, and An Audience with Charles Dickens at Jacob’s Well on December 15.

The festival will close on December 22 with a carols event in Micklegate.