The Helston Chamber of Commerce & Industry has announced that Christmas Late Night Shopping is back in Helston town centre for December 2022.

As lights are set to go up and festive scenes appear in shop windows, excitement is building for Christmas Late Night Shopping events on Friday the 9th, 16th, and 23rd of December from 5 pm to 9 pm.

These three unmissable evenings in Helston town centre are guaranteed to put you in the festive mood.

Christmas Late Night Shopping begins with traditional Carols sung by a school choir, followed by a welcome from Santa, the Mayor of Helston, and the Chair of the Chamber of Commerce by the Christmas tree at Grylls Monument.

Grylls Monument shinning with festive decorations

Following the official opening at 5 pm by the Grylls Monument in Coinagehall, you can expect an evening of festivities including selfies with Santa and a Christmas Carols Choir, all creating a joyful atmosphere.

With participating shops, cafés, and restaurants open from 5 pm til late why not tick a few presents off your Christmas gift list.

Confirmed activities for the evenings:

· Santa for selfies as he greets shoppers along Meneage Street, Church Street, and Coinaghall Street.

Santa is read in Helston for Christmas Late Night Shopping

· Helston's Nutcracker Trail where a map leads you to 17 locations, Locate ten Nutcracker toy soldiers and enter a lucky draw to win a special gift.

· Shop and win a Luxury Hamper: Every time you shop at one of the participating stores and cafés on any of the three nights, you'll receive a coupon. Fill in your name and email or phone, drop it off at the shop and you'll be entered into the lucky draw on the 23rd of December. The winner will receive the luxury hamper on 24th December, delivered to their door at a TR13 postcode, or available for collection. The more you shop the more chances you have of winning the hamper.

· Christmas Groupie at Emporium: Enter the soon-to-open shop and have your photo taken with our Christmas pop-up selfie board. Take the photo solo, with friends, or with the whole family.

· Christmas Card Competition: The top 30 card designs created by pre-teens aged 5 to 12 will be on display, Santa and the Mayor of Helston will be judging and awarding a winner. The winner will receive a Deluxe 168-piece deluxe art kit and their winning festive card design will be mounted, framed, and presented to the winner. Additionally, ready for the festive season next year, 1,000 jumbo Christmas Cards will be printed with the winning design. Proceeds from the sale of the winner's Christmas card design will be donated to their school.

· Helston's Town Band is scheduled to play at 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm on the three evenings.

· Live bands will be performing outside Bowdens Home Hardware, next to Guildhall, and along Meneage Street.

· Christmas storytelling from 5 pm to 6 pm at 42 The Living Room in Coinagehall Street on all three evenings.

· A Christmas Market is on at Guildhall for the three evenings from 5 pm til late, organised by Helston Town Council. A few stalls are still available.

· Best Dressed Christmas Window Display will be awarded to a shop or café, The judging and award are presented by Helston CIC.

Shops and pubs are organising their own activities with drink tastings, live music, and a craft market.

The Helston Chamber of Commerce & Industry hopes to see the people of Helston enjoying the late-night shopping and passed on this message:

"It's three evenings packed with festive family fun. We look forward to seeing you, and to welcoming you back to the town centre. Let's shop local and support our town, make sure you visit at least one of the three late-night shopping events and why not finish off the evening with a mince pie and hot chocolate in one of the coffee shops and, for adults, a festive tipple in a pub."