On Air Now

After Hours

Midnight - 2:00am

Now Playing

Flowered Up

Take It

Listen Live Watch

Bury’s first Christmas parade to light up The Rock with live music and radio broadcast

Tuesday, 2 September 2025 07:30

By David Murphy

The Rock Christmas Light Switch on with Roch Valley Radio from a previous year. Credit: David Murphy

The Rock Shopping Centre is launching its first-ever Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade this November, with Roch Valley Radio broadcasting live from the event.

The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury will mark its 15th anniversary with a new festive tradition, a Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade set to take place on Saturday 8 November 2025.

Starting at 3:45pm, the event will bring music, lights and community groups together in a public celebration aimed at uniting the town in the run-up to Christmas.

Roch Valley Radio will be broadcasting live from the centre throughout the day and event, providing entertainment, interviews and festive music from our radio trailer on site. The station will also help host the countdown to the big switch-on.

The centre is encouraging local schools, clubs, choirs and community organisations to take part in the parade. Groups can register in advance to join the procession, with prizes up for grabs including:

  • Best Dressed Group
  • Most Original Christmas Theme
  • Best Use of Lights

Winners will receive a donation to their group or chosen charity, a feature on The Rock’s social media and newsletter, and early booking for next year’s event. All participants will also receive certificates.

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, Centre Director at The Rock, said:
“This is a truly special moment for us. After 15 fantastic years, we’re thrilled to be launching our first Christmas Parade and Lights Switch-On. It’s a chance for the whole community to come together and celebrate. We’re pulling out all the stops to make it memorable, and we’d love as many people as possible to get involved.”

How to register
Community groups who want to join the parade can email: info@therockbury.com with:

  • Group name and activity
  • Number of participants
  • A short note on why they want to take part

The event is free to attend, and visitors can also enjoy festive food, shopping and live performances across the afternoon.

Share

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.

  • Friday Breakfast

    7:00am - 10:00am

    getting you out of bed and to work and school with great music and headlines.

  • Spooky Talk

    10:00am - Noon

    with Gemma Johnson, playing a mixture of her favourite music with a sprinkling of the spooky to breathe life into your Friday morning.

  • Pauline

    Noon - 2:00pm

Roch Valley Radio is a not-for-profit radio station serving Bury and Rochdale including the surrounding areas on DAB, your Smart Speakers and Online.

© Copyright 2026 Roch Valley Radio CIC. Powered by Aiir.