BICESTER town centre will be lit up for Christmas this year despite the global coronavirus pandemic putting a dampener of festivities.
But the Christmas lights switch-on event to launch the lights has been cancelled to avoid mass gatherings and increase infection rates.
Sadly, the Santa Fun Run has also been postponed until next year.
In a bid to raise festive mood, Bicester Town council will instead stage a virtual advent calendar to help keep residents safe, promote local groups and projects, and support local businesses.
Each day in December a new window will open, via the council’s website and Facebook page, to reveal a festive message.
Bicester’s Mayor Cllr Jason Slaymaker, who is also chairman of the events working party, said: “As a council we are hugely disappointed to have to cancel the Christmas Lights Switch-on event. It is one of our biggest and most popular events, but sadly we cannot risk crowds of people gathering in Bicester and the grave risk that carries.
“We have all had to adapt quickly to the virtual world and we’ve done it pretty well. I would encourage as many people as possible to get behind this new Virtual Advent Calendar event. It will be a great way for local groups to share information about themselves and their activities, and for businesses to promote their products and services, whilst helping us all get in the festive mood.”
Any individual, business or group interested in taking part in this free event should send images or a short video, plus any editorial to accompany the post, to the town council. It should have a festive theme and where possible to include a special incentive for local residents. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For more information view https://www.bicester.gov.uk/
Last Updated 11 November 2020
