Penrith Winter Festival2015, sponsored by Discover Penrith and The Lakes & Dales Co-operative, will run from 28th November to 24th December and there are lots of opportunities for businesses, retailers and community groups to get involved.
We wanted to make it really easy for you to join in as we know how busy you are during the run up to Christmas. Therefore we have created a selection box of events and activities we hope will make being part of the festivities much easier:
- Paint the Town Red for Christmas –28th November to 24th December
We are inviting businesses, community groups and retailers to help us ‘Paint the Town Red’ and decorate your windows, doorways and premises in the festive colour of red. We want to build on the colour theme following on from the popular ‘Orange a-peel’ earlier in the year.
We hope to create a festive trail round the businesses involved and special ‘Red Hot’ offers. Santa will also make an appearance to judge the best two windows in retail and non-retail.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:Get your festive window ready for the 28th November and help us Paint the Town Red – decorate your windows/doors/roof with anything red .
- Christmas Jumper day - 18th December
We want to add a bit of Festive fun for shoppers and join in with Christmas Jumper Day.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:Get involved by asking staff, colleagues or pupils to wear a Christmas Jumper (or hat, or outfit or even their face painted) and join in the festive fun. Perhaps you could take donations from everyone on the day towards the Winter Festival, so we can invest in the Festival in future years – or give a special offer to shoppers who wear a Christmas jumper that day?
- Fiver Fest & Small Business Saturday - 5th December
Following on from the ‘Fiver Fest’ last year, along with Totally Locally we are encouraging local, independent shops in Penrith to come up with a unique offer to shoppers for Christmas. The Fiver Fest will run from 14th November to 5th December for Small Business Saturday.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:Think of an offer that your shop or business could give to shoppers for only £5
- #ElfieSelfie Social Media campaign
We had a successful social media campaign in 2014 and we want to build on this in 2015 with the #elfieselfie campaign. There will be a trail of elves around the town and we are encouraging the public to take photos of themselves with the elves and upload them to social media. The best #elfieselfie throughout the festival will win a very special prize
HOW TO GET INVOLVED:We are looking for businesses to get involved and ‘foster’ an elf for the duration of the Festival and also donations for prizes for our lucky winner.
- Advert – ¼ page advert in the festival programme
As usual we will be producing 20,000 Winter Festival programmes which will be distributed throughout Penrith and Eden. Take an advert in the programme for £150 and reach all these people with your Christmas messages.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Contact usby the 23rd October and we’ll book you a spot in the programme
- Offer – a voucher offer in the programme
We also have space for cut out vouchers in the programme, which always prove popular. Encourage visitors to your shop by tempting them with a festive offer or treat. £15 for chamber members £25 for non members.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Contact usby the 23rd October and we’ll book you a spot in the programme
- Mass carol singing concert
We are encouraging schools and community groups to join in the town’s mass carol singing concert when the Christmas lights of ‘Penrith Sparkles’ are turned on. We want to get the whole town singing and feeling festive as we illuminate Penrith for Christmas.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Let us know you’d like to join in the fun and we’ll make sure we have a space for you. 20-30 people per group.
- Christmas themed Park Run
Penrith Winter Festival has teamed up with organisers of the Penrith Park Run at Frenchfield to bring a bit of festive cheer to runners. We are encouraging participants to undertake the 5k run in Christmas themed outfits; this could be a Santa outfit, Christmas cracker, Christmas Jumper or Elf - you decide.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: To register to take part in the Park Run click here – then turn up on the day and join in the fun!
- Your own event
You may be planning your own event, activity, performance or special offer for the festive period. This is fantastic and we encourage you to think about what you can do to attract more customers to your business over Christmas.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Contact us by the 23rd, let us know what you’re planning and we’ll include it in the Festival programme.
DEADLINE FOR ENTRY INTO THE PROGRAMME IS 23RD OCTOBER 2015
Contact Lisa at Acorn Marketing on 07751212662 or email to register your interest in any of the above activities.
Planned Events
Saturday 28th November-Penrith Sparkles
Back by popular demand Penrith BID & Discover Penrith will be lighting the town again this Christmas with some festive sparkle. Switch on at 4pm with schools, community groups and the general public gathering in town to belt out some festive tunes to get you in the mood.
Saturday 5th December- Fiver Fest & Small Business Saturday
Penrith is well known for its cobbled streets and hidden gems and the Totally Locally scheme celebrates all local businesses, from Penrith's florists to accountants, from clothes shop to gift shops. These small businesses support many other local businesses, which keep the local economy alive. It’s what the whole fabric of a town like Penrith is built on. Lots of independent shops and your favourite ‘hidden gems’ are coming together to celebrate Christmas with a unique Fiver Fest, which will run from 14th November and end on Small Business Saturday (5th December) – visit the town for lots of special offers in the run up to Christmas.
Saturday 5th December - Christmas themed Park Run
Penrith Winter Festival has teamed up with organisers of the Penrith Park Run at Frenchfield to bring a bit of festive cheer to runners. We are encouraging participants to undertake the 5k run in Christmas themed outfits; this could be a Santa outfit, Christmas cracker, Christmas Jumper or Elf... you decide.
To register to take part in the Park Run clickhere
11th, 12th, 13th and 18th, 19th& 20thDecember–Christmas Market
10am – 6pmFri / Sat, 10am - 4pm on Sunday
The Christmas Market is coming to Penrith, made possible byPenrith Business Improvement District. Situated within St Andrews churchyard, this traditional market in wooden trader chalets will certainly bring more Sparkle and festive cheer to Penrith.
The market will trade over two weekends 11, 12 & 13th December and 18, 19, 20th December and Santa is even making an appearance in his Winter Wonderland Chalet!
Traders are signing up quickly! So if you are a trader please fillin the following link to express your interest.
Saturday 5th19th December - The town band will be playing festive tunes from 10am to 3pm