Ross-on-Wye is gearing up to host its largest Christmas market ever with over 70 stalls set to line the streets in the centre of the market town. As well as a fantastic shopping experience – alongside its established independent traders (many will also be open on Sunday) – the Ross-on-Wye Town Council’s Christmas Fayre promises to really get you in the festive spirit with a programme lasting six hours from 11am.
Opening the event will be the wonderful local ladies’ wellbeing choir, The Border Belles, back for a second year after their debut in 2021. The 70 strong choir will perform a repertoire including many favourite Christmas songs and carols and will be followed at midday by the talented singer songwriter, Erica Jean, who has already performed twice in Ross during September. Hailing from Worcester, Erica Jean is an upcoming star in her own right, having performed all over the UK at venues and festivals and more recently in London at the Jo Malone Presents Glide at Battersea Power Station and at the Global Youth Awards at the Camden Club London.
Street entertainment will take a turn for the worse when The Grinch heads out to meet and greet visitors to the fayre, as he tries to steal Christmas and make it generally unpleasant for everyone. Santa, on the other hand, will be spreading some joy at The Venue on Hill Street where he will be chatting to boys and girls and checking to see whether they’ve been naughty or nice. Just around the corner, Santa’s reindeer will be taking a welcome break in Croft Court outside Thorn’s Coffee Lounge so pop along and say hello before they head off into the night sky.
If you’re peckish or need a little break, there will be many established eateries open throughout the town or you can head over to the Market House for an al fresco bite to eat where you’ll find The Beefy Boys with their award winning burgers and Pitta Stop with their delicious freshly prepared pitta wraps. You can also warm your cockles with a hot chocolate or mulled wine from one of the street vendors on Broad Street.
The afternoon programme will kick off again with more lovely live music from The Penyard Singers, an amateur, mixed-voice choir based in Ross-on-Wye who will perform a selection of traditional Christmas songs to help you feel even more festive. They will be followed by John Winder, performing an acoustic guitar and vocal set before the final event of the day, the Christmas tree lights switch on – and the town’s wonderful new hedgehog street lights – at 4.30pm which will be carried out by local resident and TV presenter, Richard Hammond. Following the switch on, our local Ross-on-Wye Town Band will play the fayre out with more festive tunes. If you’re not ready to leave town, head out to one of the local pubs or restaurants and enjoy a lazy late lunch – or early dinner – if you have room!
Further details:
- www.rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk
- 01989 562373
- admin@rosstc-herefordshire.gov.uk