FESTIVE events in Northallerton this year will include two late night shopping dates, with stores opening until 8pm, the arrival of Santa, an interactive Snowman Trail and a major TV advertising campaign.

The excitement starts on Friday, November 19 when children’s favourites Elsa and Olaf will star at the town’s first late shopping evening of 2021 organised by Northallerton Business Improvement District (BID).

There will also be festive stilt walkers, carol singers and other attractions.

Celebrations continue with Northallerton Town Council’s Festive Friday event on December 3, which includes the eagerly-awaited arrival of Santa, another late shopping evening, more streets acts and a special Christmas tree lights switch-on.

Also new for this year is the arrival of more than 200 snowmen to decorate windows in Northallerton businesses. Artistically crafted and painted on wood, each will carry a special QR code to form an interactive children’s trail, with attractive prizes on offer.

A festive snowman trail will be part of the fun

A festive snowman trail will be part of the fun

“This Christmas is more important than ever for businesses,” says BID manager Graham Bell. “This is the chance for them to get back on their feet after all the challenges of the pandemic.

“Everyone is putting a huge effort into making this Christmas truly special.”

Running throughout the festive season will be a special Sky AdSmart campaign developed by the BID highlighting all Northallerton has to offer.

Meanwhile traders are hoping that major improvement work which has seen large parts of the High Street cordoned off and traffic down to a single lane, will be completed before the festive period gets in full swing.