Join us across Mid Ulster for some festive cheer as we brighten up the darkest of days at the end of November, when our towns light up for the Christmas season.
Christmas Lights Switch Ons
Cookstown
Cookstown Town Centre
Friday 24 November, from 6.30pm to 8pm
William Street comes alive with entertainment from Stewartstown Panto, Tullylagan Pipe Band and Double Whiskeys with all the Christmas favourites, and a fantastic Showstoppers Parade to count down to the Lights Switch On by Santa, who'll arrive in style.
On Street Entertainment from 6.30pm to 8pm includes face painting, The Gaming Bus, and Character Walkabouts for those Christmas selfies!
Christmas Lights Switch-On: The Christmas Lights Switch On will take place at approximately 7.25pm.
Road Closures: Road diversions will be in place on William Street from 5pm to 9.15pm.
Accessible Information:
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All-inclusive toilet and changing facilities are available at Tesco, Broadfields Retail park, Cookstown.
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Disabled parking will be available throughout Cookstown town centre with the exception of William Street.
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The event area is accessible for wheelchair users and has adequate drop kerbs/ramps for footpath access.
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Mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs will be available at Cookstown Lights Switch-on, to help anyone with a restricted mobility get around and enjoy the events. The service will be provided free of charge from 6pm to 8.30pm, by local charity Shopmobility Mid Ulster through its Gobility programme. Photo I.D. is required on all bookings. To book your equipment in advance please contact Helen on 07548 478 306.
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A minimum of 2 stewards will be positioned at all times at entry and exit points as indicated previously at William Street/Orritor Street Junction and William Street/Burn Road Junction should assistance be required to enter or exit the area.
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A quiet space will be available at The Hub, Burn Road, Cookstown 6pm-8pm.
Magherafelt
Market Square and Broad Street, Magherafelt
Saturday 25 November, from 2pm to 8pm
Featuring a brand new Children's Christmas Village, Christmas Lights Switch-On and Fireworks Display.
*Please note there will be no Christmas food market this year, but instead we encourage you to visit the many cafes, coffee shops and restaurants that Magherafelt has to offer.
Children's Christmas Village: Market Street will be the site of a brand new Children's Christmas Village where they can enter into the magic of the season, with a variety of children's shows, crafts and activities taking place. There'll be lots of entertainment provided on stage by local groups and schools to help things go with a swing.
Christmas Lights Switch-On and Fireworks: The Christmas Street Party on Broad Street from 6.30pm to 8pm will get you into the Christmas spirit before Santa arrives at 7.30pm to switch on the Christmas Lights. The Firework Display will take place from 7.35pm.
Road Closures: Road diversions will be in place in the following areas:
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Market Street Closure – Friday 24 November from 18:30 – Sunday 26 November at 01:00am
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Broad Street Closure – Saturday 25 November from 16:00 – 22:00
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Queen Street / Lawrences Square Closure – Saturday 25 November from 18:00 – 21:30
Accessible Information:
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All-inclusive toilets and changing facilities are available at the Bridewell.
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Disabled parking will be available throughout the town centre carparks.
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The event area is accessible for wheelchair users and adequate drop kerbs/ramps for footpath access.
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There is an accessible viewing area in Market Street.
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A minimum of two stewards will be positioned at all times at entry and exit points in Market Street for any assistance needed.
Dungannon
Market Square, Dungannon
Saturday 25 November, from 6pm to 8pm
Family focused festive fun will take place in Market Square from 6pm including music to get you in the festive mood from on-stage DJ, a special preview of Bardic Theatre's 'Cinderella' and a sing-a-long with the Snow Sisters. Meet Spiderman along with other festive characters and grab your selfie.
There will also be free drop in arts and crafts, facepainting and caricature artist sessions in Ranfurly House.
Christmas Lights Switch-On: The arrival of Santa and Christmas Lights Switch On will take place from approximately 7.50pm.
After the switch on, you can really get into the Christmas spirit by going to Dungannon Film Club's special screening of 'It's A Wonderful Life' in The Space, starting at 8.30pm (£2 entry fee).
Road Closures: Market Square Car Park will be closed from 5.30pm to 8.30pm with diversions in place during this time.
Accessible Information
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Disabled parking will be available in the Dungannon Town Centre Car Parks
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The event area is accessible for wheelchair users with drop kerbs and footpath access.
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A minimum of two stewards will be positioned at all times at entry and exit points in Market Square for any assistance needed.
Maghera
Maghera Walled Garden and Town Centre
Saturday 2 December from 3pm to 6pm
In the Garden
From 3pm to 5pm, you can meet Santa in the Potting Shed, be entertained as you stroll around the garden. Enjoy a warming drink on the lane as our Christmas caterers serve up tea, coffee, hot coffee and sweet treats.
Santa is so excited to meet as many of you as possible - however, you will need to pre-book one of the free tickets available via our Eventbrite page. Booking will open on Monday 13 November. Each ticket is for one group/family to meet Santa (maximum of 6 people per group/ticket).
There are multiple tickets for each time slot, so you will still have to queue and wait upon arrival at your chosen time slot. All other activities can be enjoyed at your own time and you do not need a ticket to attend the rest of the event.
At the Lurach Centre
From 3pm to 5pm, get crafty for Christmas in the Centre, where all the family can make a Christmas Badge, write their letter to Santa and post it in The Walled Garden post box, make a Christmas Decoration or special reindeer food, or get your face painted.
Christmas Lights Switch-On: This year, Santa will leave from Fairhill carpark at 5.30pm to make his way to Hall Street for the Switch-On event taking place at the St. Lurach's Road junction. Lights will illuminate at 5.45pm.
Road Closures: There will be a temporary road closure in place from 5pm to 6.30pm from Fairhill Road to Hall Street. Main Street will remain open during the event. If travelling through Maghera at the time of the switch-on itself, motorists should be prepared for a short delay in coming through town.
Accessible Information:
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Disabled parking spaces are available at the bottom of the lane on Church Street and in the town centre car parks
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Maghera Walled Garden has flat surfaces and paths that accommodate wheelchair access
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The Lurach Centre has public toilets, included disabled access. In addition a disabled toilet is located in the Walled Garden
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Baby Changing facilities will be available in the Lurach Centre
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A minimum of two stewards will be positioned at all times at entry and exit points in the Garden, the Lurach Centre and on Hall Street for any assistance needed.
Coalisland
Cornmill Heritage Centre and Car Park
Sunday 3 December from 5pm to 7pm
From 5pm to 6.30pm, there'll be free face painting, the opportunity to take a selfie with festive characters, or to meet Santa in his Grotto.
Christmas Lights Switch On: Craic Theatre will knock your Christmas socks off on stage from 5pm to 7pm, with live music from the resident DJ and live band. Characters from Craic Theatre will be making an appearance on stage too.
The Christmas Lights Switch-On will take place at approximately 6.50pm.
Road closures: There are no road closures planned for this event.
Accessible Information: