CHRISTMAS is well and truly on the way to Warrington this year, and communities across the town are gearing up for the big day.
Birchwood Shopping Centre has announced its calendar of activities for the festive season, and it is jam-packed and full of fun events for the family.
Kicking off in the first week of December, the activities in and around the shopping centre promise something for everyone.
Every weekend in December will see Santa arrive at the shopping centre and will be in his grotto every Saturday and Sunday (11am-3pm) to speak to the children, hand out gifts, and take photographs - all entirely free.
There will also be a postbox in the shopping centre that will allow children to post their Christmas wishlists to the North Pole throughout December.
Local schools will also be joining the festivities in Birchwood, with choirs from Birchwood Primary School and Locking Stumps Community Primary School taking to the stage on the mornings of December 6 and 7 at the shopping centre.
Birchwood's artisan markets will also return to the shopping centre on Saturday, December 10 - this will feature music, food stalls, and an excellent opportunity to pick up unique gifts for Christmas.
Fan-favourite mascot Wolfie will also be at the shopping centre during the artisan markets.
There will be more festive guests at the shopping centre the following weekend, on Saturday, December 17.
The shopping centre will also be supporting a number of local charities throughout the festive season - recent support has been provided to Birchwood Lions, the Royal British Legion, and Warrington Foodbank.
Now, the centre will be supporting the Williams Gift Christmas Smile Appeal and a large number of food banks throughout Warrington via Warrington Wolves.
Warrington Wolves have teamed up with sponsors and local businesses to spearhead a food and toy bank collection for charities and food banks throughout Warrington.
This will culminate in players and Wolfie driving around on Wednesday, December 14 to make a mass collection before distributing it throughout Warrington in time for Christmas.
Birchwood Shopping Centre said: "We are really excited this year to be bringing a whole mix of activities to the people of the local community and Warrington and as always, and importantly at these times, everything is free to attend."
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