Families will be able to enjoy free festive food and entertainment at this weekend’s Clifton Christmas lights switch-on and could win shopping vouchers and a holiday, thanks to NET.

The main celebrations will be bigger and better this year, taking place in Clifton centre on Friday (5 December) from 3pm to 8pm, with giant penguins, music, carol singing, face-painting, free refreshments, a free winter wonderland roller-disco at the leisure centre and the lights switch-on at 4.30pm.  Clifton Market will be staying open late, until 6pm.  For the first time, there will be further celebrations in the Varney Road area of Clifton, on Saturday (6 December) from 12pm to 4pm, with a Christmas fair, street entertainment, a samba band, carol singing, a best shop window competition and the lights switch-on at 4pm.

Throughout December, anyone who buys goods from participating Clifton shops and market stalls will have the chance to win a three-night family break to Disneyland Paris and vouchers worth a total of £2,000, which is double the amount usually up for grabs each month through the Clifton Cash shop loyalty scheme.  The scheme offers vouchers to lucky Clifton shoppers each fortnight to spend in Clifton shops and market.

The support from NET comes as the major construction works being carried out by Taylor Woodrow Alstom are drawing to a close.  When the new lines open, Clifton residents will be able to get quickly and easily to the railway station, the city centre, the north of the city and beyond.  It will give them better access to employment, shops and services, with trams running every seven and a half minutes, while opening up Clifton to people from other areas.

Councillor Nicola Heaton, Portfolio Holder for Community Services at Nottingham City Council, said: “I am pleased that those involved in delivering NET are thanking Clifton residents for their patience during the tram works with these Christmas celebrations.  With the major construction works coming to an end and the Christmas celebrations starting, this is a great time for them to do this.  I hope Clifton families come along to enjoy the free food and entertainment and take the opportunity to start their Christmas shopping in the local shops and market, especially as Saturday is Small Business Saturday.”

More information about the Clifton Christmas celebrations is available on ourChristmas webpage.