Neston’s Victorian Christmas Festival returned for its second year.
The one-day event, organised by Neston Town Council along with the Rotary Club of Neston and Neston and District Churches Together, saw crowds flocking to the town centre.
The festivities, held on the market square and in the historic town hall, welcomed visitors from Neston, across the Wirral and beyond.
Festival-goers were treated to a full programme of Victorian-themed Christmas entertainment including brass bands, choirs, dancers and bagpipers as well as local community groups and schools.
The Christmas market, with a blend of more than 50 stalls, included gifts, arts, crafts and festive food to complement the sights and sounds at the heart of the festival.
As well as craft activities children were able to visit Father Christmas in his front parlour grotto while visitors took in the Victorian costumes of performers, stall-holders and dignitaries in the town.
Steampunk stalls and demonstrations, combining Victorian England with modern technologies, brought a new dimension to this year’s festival.
The lights switch-on was followed by a grand prize draw competition with prizes of family hampers on offer.
Assets and events manager at the town council, Claire Evans, said: “Last year’s festival was hailed a ‘triumph of community celebration’ by Neston’s town mayor at the time.
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“In keeping with Neston’s rich historic past it brought new and old visitors to the town for a very magical experience.
“This year, we added some new elements, it was a festival that really did offer something for everyone.”
Those taking part included The Capriccio Singers, Woodfall Primary School, Neston High School, the Mockbegger Morris Dancers, Port Sunlight Sea Dogs, Wirral Pipe Band, Port Lyceum Brass Band, the town’s Little Actors theatre group and Wirral Handbell Ringers.
Also on offer was a spectacular light show from The Kat and a taste of Steampunk to add to the day.
