Father Christmas Parade to kick off Truro’s late-night shopping season

Father Christmas will return to the streets of Truro this December to lead a festive parade marking the start of the city’s Wednesday late-night shopping evenings.

The Father Christmas Parade, organised and funded by Truro BID, will take place on Wednesday, 2 December, with festivities beginning on Boscawen Street. Rock Choir Cornwall will provide entertainment from 6pm before the parade sets off at 6.30pm.

Inspired by Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas production Dick Whittington and His Mousehole Cat, the procession will feature Father Christmas in his sleigh, cheeky elves, dancers, live music and circus performers.

A selection of small City of Lights lanterns will also be included in the parade. The lanterns will be carried by families who have created them during special lantern-making workshops at Hall for Cornwall.

The parade will coincide with the first of Truro’s four Wednesday late-night shopping events. Many shops, cafés and restaurants, along with the city’s indoor markets, will remain open later than usual, while the city centre’s festive lights will illuminate the streets.

Both the Truro Christmas Market on Lemon Quay and the Boscawen Street Christmas Markets will stay open until 9pm.

The parade route will begin on Boscawen Street before travelling along St Nicholas Street, Kenwyn Street, Little Castle Street and River Street. It will then return via St Nicholas Street and continue along Boscawen Street, Princes Street, Green Street and Lemon Quay before finishing at Lower Lemon Street.

Truro BID is staging the event with sponsorship from Coodes Solicitors.

Alun Jones, Truro BID manager, said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating the start of Truro’s late-night shopping evenings with Father Christmas, local dancers, musicians and circus performers parading around the city.

“The Christmas lights will be illuminating Truro, many shops and eateries will be open later and the festive markets will be in full swing. Following the parade, residents and visitors can enjoy a further three Wednesday late-night shopping evenings.”

Elise Alma, chair of Coodes Solicitors, added: “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the Father Christmas Parade. It is a wonderful, fun-filled celebration that showcases everything Truro has to offer during the festive season.

“This year’s parade, inspired by Hall for Cornwall’s Dick Whittington and His Mousehole Cat, promises to be something really special. As it also marks the start of late-night shopping, it gives everyone the perfect reason to head into the city and soak up the festive spirit.”

The remaining Wednesday late-night shopping dates will take place on 9, 16 and 23 December.

Truro Park and Ride will operate extended services on all four evenings, with the last buses leaving the city at 9.30pm.

More information about Truro’s festive events can be found on the Visit Truro website and its social media channels.