Garrett Withington

In another festive first for Lincoln, three local theatres will give shoppers a sneak peek at their Christmas shows

Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln Performing Arts Centre and the the New Theatre Royal will prepare a showcase to take part in the Theatre Festival Live which will take place on November 30.

The event, organised by Lincoln BIG and supported by its sister organisation Visit Lincoln, will construct temporary pop-up stages and seating areas in City Square, with trailer performances taking place between 5pm and 8pm.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy a spot of late night shopping as stores keep their doors open till 8pm and especially as free parking will be provided by the newly constructed Lincoln Central car park. 

Jack & The Beanstalk will be staged by the Lincoln Drill Hall but, not to be outdone the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre will be hosting both Robin Hood and Maid Marian: Winter in Sherwood, as well as The Winter Whale.

Finally, the evening will be topped off by a pantomime performance of Aladdin, held by the New Theatre Royal Lincoln.

Michael Armstrong, Lincoln BIG events and promotions manager pointed out that it was another first for Lincoln and said ”the idea is to give people a flavour of what the city’s entertainment venues are offering during the festive season”.  

Guests partaking in the late night shopping will be able to enjoy the live entertainment by purchasing tickets from the on-site pop-up box office.

Santa and some of his special four-legged friends will take a day out of their busy schedule to visit Lincoln later this month. 

Between 2pm and 4pm on Thursday, November 23, families will be able to meet the reindeer at St Marks Shopping centre, as they rest up for the big event.

Kicking off at 6pm, Santa’s sleigh, pulled by his reindeer helpers, will then be paraded up the High Street spreading festive cheer to all.  

The parade will take a diversion through the newly developed Cornhill Quarter, passing Thor’s Tipi Bar, (allowing Santa to pop in for a warm mug of hot chocolate no doubt).

Santa will finish his journey down Sincil Street ending at the City Square, in which children will be able to meet the reindeer and take pictures with Santa himself, before he leaves for the North Pole.

Michael Armstrong, Promotion manager for Lincoln BIG events said: “We are looking forward to the return of the reindeer who are always highly popular with local families and visitors”.

He went on to highlight that visitors would be able to take advantage of the late night shopping, especially as there will be free parking at St Mark’s car park.