Santa Claus is coming to town

OLDHAM Town Centre will welcome Father Christmas and his team of real reindeers this Saturday.

The much-loved Reindeer Parade will this year feature Christmas characters and the cast of the Coliseum Theatre’s pantomime, “Mother Goose”.

The fun starts at 11am when giant elves, crazy crackers and a roaming Robin will all be spreading Christmas cheer on High Street.

The parade then sets off from outside the Royal Bank of Scotland at 12.45pm. The reindeer then race up Lord Street, Albion Street and Henshaw Street before resting outside Oldham Town Square Shopping Centre around 30 minutes later.

Oldham town centre mascots Ollie and Millie will also be flying in and making an appearance.

Young and old should also look out for the reindeer having a rest in front of Tommyfield Market Hall after the parade before they make their return trip to the North Pole.

Children can bring their letters for Santa to give to his elves next to the reindeer pen outside the market.

There will be brass bands and seasonal street theatre on the High Street until 3pm. Christmas characters will also be handing out free hats, balloons and sweets.

After the parade, Santa will open his fairytale grotto in the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre.

There is free children’s face-painting, balloon modelling and storytelling in the Market Hall from 11am to 3pm.

Councillor Eddie Moores, deputy cabinet member for economy and enterprise, said: “The reindeer parade traditionally kicks off our town centre Christmas programme of events and has become a favourite for families.”

Shoppers can enjoy free car parking on Saturday for three hours in council car parks. There is also 30-minutes of free on-street parking. You must take a ticket from the machine after parking.

The Spindles and Town Square car parks will also be offering three hours parking for £1 on Saturday.

This is the first in a programme of Christmas events taking place in Oldham Town Centre. The next event is the Christmas lights switch-on on Sunday, November 22.

Information about all of the events can be found at www.visitoldham.com.