This weekend it’s Dunster by Candlelight (Friday 5-Saturday 6 December) and Dulverton by Starlight (Sunday 7 December).
DUNSTER BY CANDLELIGHT
A unique event with a magical atmosphere, this medieval festival includes a lantern-lighting procession that lights the village streets and shops with candles. It also showcases street entertainment and theatre. Proceeds in aid of St Margaret’s Hospice.
The festival begins on Friday with the lantern procession. It starts on the Steep and continues through the village until all the lanterns in the streets have been lit. The procession of children and their families is accompanied by colourful stilt-walkers in fantastic costumes who put up the lanterns.
During both evenings there are a variety of street entertainers, including carol singers, morris dancers, hand-bell ringers, a large fairground organ and choirs in the parish church. The atmosphere is both traditional and exciting; this is a truly wonderful Christmas event for all ages.
Most of Dunster’s shops are open throughout the two evenings for
Christmas shopping; the many restaurants (advance bookings advisable), cafés and pubs are also open, while extra street stalls sell delicious food throughout the village.
Park and ride services are available. Find out more: www.dunsterbycandlelight.co.uk
DULVERTON BY STARLIGHT
Every year the picturesque Exmoor town of Dulverton celebrates the winter season with a day of fun, shopping and fireworks to get you in the Christmas mood and this year is shaping up to be exceptional.
The entertainment starts at 2pm, with the arrival of Father Christmas from the Town Hall at 2.30pm. He will make his way to his grotto at the Heritage Centre where children can go and let him know what they would like for Christmas (and, of course, how good they have been all year!). Watch in awe as Captain Coconut creates his marvellous bubble show and Merlin the fire-juggling magician dazzles.
Following the success of 2013’s Dulverton by Starlight, Fore Street will be closed to traffic for the Winter Market stalls, visiting the shops and enjoying the entertainment. The Market, with local crafts and producers to tempt you with food & gifts, will include handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations, chocolates, glass and candles, unique antler gifts and SO much more! Dulverton’s
beautifully-decorated shops will be open throughout the day.
A stage in the Market will host performances from The Wiveliscombe Brass Band, local choral groups and street entertainers among others. The ever-popular nativity scenes will be in the Town Hall. A Punch and Judy show will be performing in the afternoon.
Pop into All Saints Church which will be open for a Christmas Bazaar, then gather around the main Christmas tree in Bank Square for carol singing at 6.30pm, followed by the spectacular fireworks display silhouetting the church tower at 7pm. Get your dancing shoes on at 7.20pm as Dulverton’s incredible band will perform all your favourite songs, keeping you in the festive mood until the close. Well worth staying for!
Fore Street will be closed from 11.30am until 10pm. High Street and all other access routes to and from the town open. Please follow the traffic signs as you approach the town to avoid congestion.
For more information: www.dulvertonbystarlight.co.uk