Christmas is coming to Hyde

HYDE looks set to again be the venue for Tameside’s main Christmas lights switch-on event.

And dates for each town’s festive events are likely to be set in the coming days.

Tameside Council’s executive cabinet will meet on Wednesday, August 25 with the line-up for Christmas lights switch-ons on the agenda.

A report states the main event, which normally takes place in Ashton, should be held in Hyde again because of building works on the town’s market ground.


It says: “It is proposed that the offer for Hyde to host the annual corporate event is honoured in 2021.

“Taking the infrastructure and opportunities for staging a highly impactful event into account Hyde is still identified as a suitable location for 2021.

“The town has sufficient space to host such a large scale event and a safe and secure route for the lantern parade to take place in the town centre.

“It is therefore proposed that Tameside’s central event will lead the Christmas celebrations for 2021 and take place outdoors in Hyde town centre on Saturday, November 20 between 6pm and 8pm.”

Officers have also lodged a bid with the Arts Council for funding that will be used to create and develop the accompanying parade.

Hyde will be the first Christmas lights switch-on in Tameside but other dates for towns have also been suggested.

They are: Audenshaw, Ashton, Stalybridge and Dukinfield on November 26; Denton, Droylsden and Mossley on November 27; and Hattersley on December 4.

All those would receive a free Christmas tree and tree lights.