Hundreds gather for magical lights switch-on at The Rock’s first Christmas parade

Monday, 10 November 2025 12:36

By David Murphy

A festive celebration brought hundreds of local families to The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury as it hosted its first-ever Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade.

The event, held on Saturday 8 November, marked a new highlight in the centre’s 15th birthday year and featured a community-led parade filled with music, colour, and sparkle. Groups including the Radcliffe Rainbows, 44th Bury Scouts and Seedfield Panthers FC joined the line-up, along with Bury Council’s Fostering Team, Adoption Now, Holy Cross College and Bury Music Service.

Parade performers included stilt-walking angels, a Christmas pudding, and roaming disco balls. Staff from Primark and Hotel Chocolat took part in festive costume, while a cheeky elf and an LED drummer led the event. Music and a live broadcast were provided by community station Roch Valley Radio.

As the parade moved through the centre, shoppers gathered at St John’s Square for the traditional countdown. The switch-on revealed brand new decorations, including a geometric stag, reindeer sleigh, and a modern Christmas tree. Festive lighting now adorns the centre’s leisure block, lamp posts and pillars.

Prizes were awarded to the most impressive entries in the parade:

Best Dressed Group – Helen’s Angels from Bury Music Service
Most Original Christmas Theme – 44th Bury Scouts
Best Use of Lights – Radcliffe Rainbows

Arnold Wilcox-Wood, centre director at The Rock, praised the success of the centre’s first parade. He said:

"Our first-ever Christmas Parade and Lights Switch-On was everything we hoped for and more. The atmosphere was electric, and seeing so many families and friends come together to kick-start the festive season was truly heartwarming. This event was all about community, and the support we received was fantastic.”