Twelve days of Covid-safe Christmas celebrations

Seven illuminated 'swans a swimming' on the canal will be one of the many highlights of Tameside Council's Christmas celebrations this year.

The council has organised a festival of 12 Days of Christmas activities - taking place in each of the borough’s nine towns from December 1 to 12 - to replace the traditional lights switch-on events that can’t happen this year because of government restrictions on gatherings.

Instead, residents will have the opportunity to enjoy and take part in celebrations from the safety and comfort of their own homes or as they walk through and shop in local town centres.

Every town will also have a lit Christmas tree and some civic buildings will also be illuminated.

As part of the 12 days of Christmas festival, each day will unlock a new activity - with highlights including a turtledove trail, a bagpiper piping from local landmarks and a final film of 12 drummers from across Tameside.

All the activities will be filmed and shared on social media. 

Community groups, schools, families and individuals will be encouraged to get involved by decorating their windows on the theme. 

Printable templates and tutorials will be available to create impressive window displays, which people will be encouraged to photograph and share online. These displays will also be featured in local libraries.

The whole 12 days will be edited into a film celebrating Christmas and the resilience and creativity of Tameside residents. This follows on from the success of the council’s Night Before Christmas video last year, which celebrated the Tameside Loves Reading campaign and achieved more than 30,000 views across social media.

Tameside Council Executive Member responsible for Culture Cllr Leanne Feeley said: “I’m really excited about our 12 Days of Christmas festival – although we have to do Christmas differently this year to help keep everyone safe it doesn’t mean there won’t be lots of creativity and colour and opportunities for people to celebrate, have fun and support their local town centres.”

For further details on the festival and how to get involved see www.tameside.gov.uk/12daysofchristmas