Carnival of the Baubles to light up Ashford Town Centre on Saturday 23 November

On Saturday 23 November the annual Carnival of the Baubles will be lighting up Ashford Town Centre with its stunning night-time parade.

Make a day of it with festive activities and entertainment planned all day for the whole family and make sure you are lining the pavements along the parade route at 5pm.

The parade will be led by a giant five-metre-tall Fire Bird flapping its wings to the rhythm of the drums and bringing a fountain of sparks from its beak to compliment the towns Christmas lights and large lit up lanterns.

Due to its increasing popularity the parade route has been reversed, starting in the Lower High Street and make its way up to the Bandstand before turning down Bank Street and finishing outside The Ashford Cinema at Elwick Place.

The lanterns have been created by local schools, young people, community groups and businesses and themed on Ashford – The Place That Makes Us – expect to see some spectacular creations including a stag and steam locomotive.

Timetable for the day

9:30am–12:30pm: Christmas Fayre at St Mary’s Church

10:00am–7:00pm: Festive Makers Market at Upper High Street and Park Mall

10:00am–4:00pm: Craft activities with Made In Ashford at Upper High Street and Park Mall

12:00pm–4:00pm: Performances and live music at the Bandstand

2:00pm–6:00pm: ELFwick Place, festive activities, food and drink stalls, performances, Father Christmas Meet and Greet and more at Elwick Place

5:00pm–6:30pm: Ashford’s Carnival of the Baubles parade from Lower High Street to Elwick Place

7:15pm–10:00pm: A Christmas Carole at Revelation (ticketed)

For all the above to take place safely, please be aware that there will be road closures on Bank Street, Ashford High Street and Elwick Road during the parade times on Saturday 23 November.

Buses from Bank Street will also be temporarily relocated to Vicarage Lane between 4pm – 7pm.

If you're driving into town, there's free parking in Edinburgh Road multi-storey Car Park (TN24 8LG) and Elwick Place Car Park (TN23 1DY) after 3pm.

A huge thank you goes to our festival and events sponsors Bucksford Law, EKC Ashford College, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce and You Fibre who are helping raise the profile of this year’s events and will be a part of the parade.

Cllr Heather Hayward, Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Culture at Ashford Borough Council, said: “So much work has gone into creating the magnificent giant lanterns by residents, schools, community groups and businesses with the help of Emergency Exit Arts and Made in Ashford. We can’t wait to see them come to life and start the festivities here in Ashford.

“With lots planned for the whole family throughout the day it really is not to be missed and we hope to see you there.”

For more information and to start planning your day please visit the Love Ashford website.