Winchester Cathedral Christmas attractions launch on November 22 (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Winchester Cathedral Christmas attractions launch on November 22

8:00am Saturday 20th October 2012 in Winchester

A SPECTACULAR lantern parade will mark the start of the festive season in Winchester next month.

The Christmas market, ice rink and parade will again be at the centre of the festive activities and all start on November 22.

Alan Titchmarsh returns to the cathedral to host a carol concert on December 14.

Now in its seventh year, the Christmas market attracts in excess of 300,000 visitors annually. Situated at the foot of the Cathedral in The Close, it is modelled on the original European markets such as those found in Germany.

The parade starts on Thursday, November 22 at 6pm and will feature colourful lanterns made from willow and tissue paper, made by local families at a series of workshops.

The weekend workshops will be on November 10 to 11, and November 17 to 18, from 10am to 12.30pm, and 1pm to 3.30pm in the Brooks Shopping Centre. Booking is required, so to attend, visit the website for further details.

Christmas and Twilight Tower Tours of the cathedral will take place between November 24 and December 22, with story-telling, at no cost, for children at lunchtimes between the 17 and 27 December.

The cathedral choir sings carol services on Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Saturday, December 22. Free tickets are available from the box office for the first service from November 26. The other events are not ticketed.