Storm Bert - changes to Great Grimsby Christmas event this weekend

Thanks to Storm Bert hitting the country over the weekend, the organisers of the Great Grimsby Christmas event on Saturday are changing to their alternative plans for the day.

The weather on Saturday isn’t looking great according to the Met Office, with wind speeds hitting mid 50mph, and rain through the day.

As a result, the stage that was planned for St James Square can’t be put up for safety reasons. The event will still go ahead but with some changes.

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Minster and St James Square:

If you’re coming to enjoy the hot food, this is still planned to be in St James Square near the Minster, with local favourites top of the list.

After that, you could go watch Luma, the gentle robotic snail, which will be inside the Minster as planned, alongside craft traders as part of the Festive Market.

There will be some live performances inside the Minster for the day that you'll also be able to hear outside in the Square! Unfortunately, the council won't be able to host the dance performances without the stage.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins, Cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “We’d like to thank all of the participants who were due to take part for their work and preparation. I know it’s really disappointing not to be able to perform, but we hope you’ll come down and enjoy the day.”

Freshney Place and Top Town Market will be buzzing with activity as planned events move indoors.

Top Town Market: Festivities start at 11am

More traders from the Festive Market will be located in Top Town Market as well as in the Minster: meet local artisans and crafters and find some unique gifts or just treat yourself.

The DJ workshop sessions, being run by Freestyle Academy, will now be located in Top Town Market, alongside Christmas at the Beach, being run by La Cuna, where you can plant a mini-Christmas tree and take it home with you.

Other music in Top Town Market will include entertainment from the Linkage Academy Performing Arts student choir, with Makaton signing, and sets from the Grimsby Minster Choir, who will be singing beautiful carols to get you in the Christmassy mood.

Freshney Place:

If you were coming along to have a go at curling, that will now be inside Freshney Place from 11am to 6pm.

The hands-on craft activities will be ongoing all day, with the card making station and facepainting available in the centre from 12noon to 4pm.

North East Lincolnshire Council will be monitoring the weather through the day for the Great Grimsby Lights Parade and the light switch on, so keep an eye on their socials for updates during the day. Event staff will also be on hand during the day for information across all venues.

Cllr Hayden Dawkins continued: “At the end of the day, we have to make sure both visitors and people who are taking part in putting on the celebration are all safe. With Storm Bert hitting the country, I understand that some other places are either cancelling their Christmas events or moving them to alternative weekends. We have the luxury of some big indoor spaces in the town centre, which means we can carry on. I hope people will come down, enjoy the event, and get into the spirit of Christmas!”

On the day, please watch DiscoverNorthEastLincolnshire’s social media to keep up to date with events. Follow @DiscoverNorthEastLincolnshire on Facebook or Instagram.