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.”
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