Friday, 4 November 2011

Make your Christmas a Basingstoke Christmas, this year!

Make your Christmas a Basingstoke Christmas, this year!

What’s On Guides: Festival Place shopping centre Christmas activity
Hampshire-based shopping centre, Festival Place, is gearing up for the Christmas season this year with a ho ho host of events for all the family!

Christmas Light Switch On 18 November from 5pm Hosted by TV presenter Olly Smith and featuring Hollywood stars Alvin & The Chipmunks and music by Fil Straughton and friends, this star-packed event is a great start to the festive season.

Santa Parade and Fun with Santa 4 December
Santa will be the star of the parade driving the smallest car in the world, accompanied on his journey by music, comedy and Christmas characters.


Santa’s Grotto 8 November - 24 December
Santa will be waiting in his Grotto ready to receive Christmas wishes from local children.


Nativity Petting Farm 10 & 17 December 11am - 3pm
A charming scene including animals from the traditional Nativity Story, all gathered in a special petting farm.

Christmas Storytelling and Nativity Treasure Hunt 22 & 23 December

Live Nativity 24 December midday

After a small parade, local church groups (and live animals!) will hold a live dramatisation of the Christmas story, followed by carol singing.

Further details of all events can be found on Festival Place’s website, as well as information on gift wrapping services, ticket lines and Christmas opening hours.

To find out more just visit www.festivalplace.co.uk
 

Winter Wonderland celebrates its 5th year with a magical new Ice Rink


The UKs spectacular winter event returns to Hyde Park for the 5th year running with FREE admission and even more entertainment and new attractions. Friday 18th November 2011 to Tuesday, 3rd January 2012 10am to 10pm every day (on 18th November 2011 only - opens at 5pm)


Since its launch in 2007, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has attracted a staggering 8 million visitors, it's firmly becoming the Capital’s most popular and dazzling winter event, offering the best Christmas day out. With beautifully decorated attractions set out across 20 acres of historic parkland, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland provides festive fun over seven whole weeks in the heart of London. 

Celebrity fans including Prince Harry, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer & Matthew Vaughn, Chris Martin, Tom Cruise, Liam Gallagher, Louise & Jamie Redknapp, Alexandra Burke, Fearne Cotton and Liz Hurley have all been spotted enjoying Winter Wonderland’s festivities.

At night the ice rink will be transformed, as suspended above the rink will be 108,000 pea-lights illuminating the ice, creating a magical atmosphere for skaters. With 1000 skates available for hire, PWR Events are expecting 120,000 skaters to take to the new ice rink over the seven week run. 

Other favourite attractions making a welcome return include the iconic Giant Observation Wheel and the beautiful Angels Christmas Market. The Market will feature over one hundred wooden chalets offering unusual and handmade gifts, including ceramics, candles, glass-work, jewellery, clothing and beauty products.

A number of stalls will also feature traditional Christmas items such as wooden toys, nativity scenes and decorations. Last year Father Christmas handed out over 50,000 presents to well behaved children in Santa Land, and he will make a welcome return this year as an ever popular free attraction.
                                                                                                                    
The UK’s favourite circus, Zippos Circus also returns to Winter Wonderland for a third season, with two completely new shows – a daytime show for all the family, Zippos Christmas Circus and an evening show for older thrill seekers, Zippos Cirque Extreme.

Zippos Christmas Circus explores how Christmas is celebrated around the world, with outstanding circus acts and even Father Christmas! At under an hour in length this bite size show is perfect for family audiences.
For thrill seekers everywhere, Cirque Extreme is a jaw dropping, daredevil show which combines some of the most thrilling and dangerous acts the world of circus has to offer.  

Top of the bill is the Motorbike Globe of Death, a beyond-thrilling spectacle starring three extraordinary Brazilians riding together at up to 60mph in an unbelievably small steel globe.  Also on show will be death defying antics on the Adrenaline Wheel and Swinging Trapeze, reckless fire juggling and acrobatic Break Dancing. 

This year, there will be even more bars, cafes, restaurants and eateries. Highlights include the new Carousel Bar, which rotates gently whilst you sip your mulled wine and the Bavarian Village where you’ll find Bratwurst, bars and live music, which has become a popular hot spot for the after work crowd. In addition, there will also be the authentic Spiegel Saloon situated within a stunning ballroom, with its cosy booths, tables and chairs and cabaret acts you can shut out the crisp winter air whist enjoying a fantastic range of warming meals.

There will also be three new and exhilarating thrill rides in the Alpine Adventure area alongside the ever popular Power Tower, Christmas Coaster, Avalanche and Ski Jump Swing as well as more traditional rides and games throughout Winter Wonderland.

With 500,000 Bratwursts on order and 330,000 cups of mulled wine ready to be served, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is set to be a fantastic day out for everyone, so be sure to book your tickets early and make Winter Wonderland part of your Christmas tradition.

Follow them at:

Listings
Tickets are now on sale for the Ice Rink, Giant Observation Wheel & Live Big Top shows: Cirque Extreme and Zippo’s Christmas Circus.
Dates:                    Friday 18th November 2011 – Tuesday 3rd January 2012 (closed Christmas day)
Times:                    10am – 10pm daily (except 18th November – opens from 5pm)
Entry:                     Winter Wonderland is FREE to enter, there is no admission fee
Online:                   www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Box office:             0844 858 6755 (See Tickets) / 0844 847 1771 (Ticketmaster)


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Thursday, 3 November 2011

Treat Yourself to a Pyrex Christmas!

With Christmas just around the corner, it really is time to get planning how to feed the family this festive season. From peeling the potatoes to working out how long to cook the turkey for, Christmas dinner can be one of the most stressful meals of the year. (Not to mention making sure you don’t disappoint the in-laws!)

With this in mind, Pyrex have a few hints & tips to help your festive season run as smoothly as can be and help minimise your stress levels:
  • Be prepared by using the Pyrex 4in1 Plus range, glass containers with sealing lids, food can be prepared, stored and even reheated so that you are never left rushing at the last minute
  • Use the same products to serve and to cook in – this will save time, dishes and ultimately washing up. The Pyrex Wave range can withstand temperatures of up to 250°C and will look great on your table
  • Don’t waste time slaving away at the kitchen sink on Christmas Day washing up, use non-stick products such as Pyrex Non-Stick Bakeware or the new Silicone Bakeware range for your roasties and Yorkshire Puddings
  • Don’t be eating Christmas pudding all the way into February, if not all your guests are Christmas Pud fans, why not make individual ones for those who are, using the new Pyrex Mini Glass Bowls
And with the Red Wave range, Pyrex have the perfect addition to Christmas dinner – both in the kitchen and on the dining table. Not only does the Red Wave benefit from Pyrex’s trademark durability, its stylish design and striking red colour means it won’t look out of place with your other Christmas table decorations.

For more information or recipes, please visit www.pyrexuk.com.

Christmas in Belgravia: Camels, Carol Singers, Christmas Lights and the best of Festive Shopping!

This Christmas Grosvenor’s picturesque Belgravia estate will be transformed into a winter wonderland. With the annual Belgravia Christmas Sunday, Christmas Lights Switch-On events and tempting offers across its many unique boutiques, bars and restaurants, Belgravia celebrates the festive season in style. Not only that, but with a brand new online gift guide, savvy shoppers can plan ahead and track down the perfect Christmas gift before the festive season begins.

On Sunday 4 December, Pimlico Road and neighbouring Elizabeth Street will celebrate Belgravia Christmas Sunday. A haven from the busy high street, visitors can soak up Belgravia’s unique charm and take in the stunning Christmas lights, while enjoying the delicious food and drink on offer and browsing some of the stalls that line the street.

The three-wise-men will also be paying a visit, bringing real camels into the heart of London’s best loved village! Joining them will be Father Christmas and a host of ‘Christmas helpers’ and carol singers who will entertain throughout the day. A festival of twinkling lights, Christmas cheer and only 10 minutes walk from Victoria (national rail & tube) Knightsbridge and Sloane Square (tube); Belgravia Christmas Sunday is one of London’s most authentic festive events.

Meanwhile, Motcomb Street will kick off the Christmas season with the inaugural Motcomb Street Christmas Lights Switch On on Thursday 1 December from 6-8.30pm. With entertainment from the Household Cavalry Quintet, the IDMC Gospel Choir, jazz bands and more, this charming cobbled street will come alive with Christmas cheer.

Launching for the very first time this year will be the Mayfair & Belgravia Christmas Inspiration website. By visiting www.grosvenorlondon.com keen shoppers can browse a selection of festive gifts on offer throughout the estate, creating their very own unique ‘Wishlist’. From glamorous to gourmet; stocking filler to budget blow out, this online gift guide has inspiration for everyone – and maps to plan the perfect shopping trip!

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