No lights but lots of Christmas events in Chichester this year

The Christmas celebrations get under way on November 27 when the tree will be blessed at The Cross.

Before the ceremony, a candle and lantern 
procession will take place from Priory Park to the tree at 4pm, where they will be met by carol singers.

There will be a Winter Market taking place from December 9-12, in East and North Street, from 9am-5pm each day, and open until 
8pm on December 9 for late night shopping.

There will also be late-night shopping on December 16 and 23, until 9pm.

The Rotary Club of Chichester will be at The Cross with spiced hot drinks, and hot chestnuts from 5pm until 8.30pm on each of the late night shopping dates, when there will also be carol singing.

The continental market organised by Chichester City Council will take place on Sunday, November 28, from 10am until 4pm in the East Pallant car park.

There will also be a live nativity outside Marks and Spencers in East Street from December 9-12.

The free park and ride service for visitors, shoppers and commuters will take place on three Saturdays leading up to Christmas, starting on December 4.

It will also run on the weekdays leading up to Christmas and on Christmas Eve.

The bus shuttle will start from Chichester College car park at Westgate and run to the city centre. Drop-off and pick-up points will be at Eastgate (opposite the Cattle Market), Northgate (layby in Oaklands Way), and, the cathedral in West Street, before returning to the college car park.

The service will operate between 8am and 6pm on: December 4, 11, 18, and from December 20-24.

As last year, the initiative is being organised and funded by Chichester District council, and supported by Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chichester College and the Chichester Observer.

As well as supporting the free park and ride scheme, the Observer is determined to make the city as festive as ever despite the lack of Christmas lights this year.

The Observer’s best-dressed window competition is a chance for businesses to put a bit of cheer back into the city after the plug was pulled on the Christmas lights display because of a lack of funding from traders in what was supposed to be a partnership with Chichester City Council.