The lights event will raise money for more heart screenings and public access defibrillators
LLANDAFF High Street is set to close from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday, November 19, due to the annual Christmas lights switch-on celebration.
The event, which is organised by heart screening charity Calon Hearts and the Llandaff Events team, will begin at 11am in Bishop’s Palace. The Palace will be hosting an artisan craft market and a chance to meet Santa himself in Llandaff’s Christmas grotto.
Tickets for this year’s grotto, which will run until 4pm, sold out within a week of ticket sales going live.
Although the indoor market will close at 4pm, the fun will be just beginning on the streets of Llandaff.
This year’s street celebration will run from 4-9pm and boasts street food, bars and entertainment throughout the evening. Children who were not able to get a ticket to Santa’s Grotto can find him outside Bishop’s Palace from 5pm for a chance to grab a photo and a lucky dip prize at £5 per child.
Performers such as Princesses Belle, Elsa and Anna and school choirs will sing among other talents on the High Street’s stage.
“We performed at fundraising concerts for Calon Hearts as children,” said Charlotte Tonge from Belle of the Ball Princess Parties, which is providing the ‘princesses’ for the event. “We are so excited to be back as adults creating magic and memories for children whilst helping an important cause.”
The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm outside Llandaff Institute by special guest performer Reuben de Maid, a Cardiff-born singer and makeup artist who shot to fame after his appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2017.
Calon Hearts, which took over as main event organisers last year, have been quick to clarify that the evening is free to attend and does not require tickets, after some Facebook users tried to sell fake tickets on the events page.
Any donation raised from the community celebration will go towards Calon Hearts, which raises money to provide heart screening sessions, fund public access to defibrillators across Wales and teach CPR to the public.
“To help celebrate, honour and remember the lives of loved ones no longer with us due to an underlying heart condition, we have created our Hearts of Gold Christmas Appeal,” said Sharon Owen from Calon Hearts.
“You can donate online, by phone or by cheque, which will help Calon Hearts continue with lifesaving work of running heart-screening sessions and placing public access defibrillators throughout Wales.”
