Christmas at Hat Gardens event moved to Luton Point Shopping Centre due to Storm Darragh weather forecast | London Daily News

Organisers of the planned “Christmas at Hat Gardens” event, scheduled to take place this Saturday, 7 December, have taken steps to ensure expected wet and windy weather will not dampen the Christmas spirit in Luton this weekend.

The themed activities organised by Luton Council and Luton BID will now take place indoors at Luton Point shopping centre due to Storm Darragh being expected to deliver 40-50mph winds with gusts in excess of 60mph at times.

All activities will take place between 2pm and 6pm in the atrium by Luton Point’s big Christmas tree and everything will proceed at the scheduled times.

This free family event, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), will feature local talent including Luton-based singer Mikyla performing Christmas classics, the Bramingham Primary School choir, and performers from the Next Generation Youth Theatre group. A professional DJ and host will keep the festivities lively throughout the afternoon.

The highlight attraction is a spectacular illuminated LED penguin, making scheduled appearances perfect for photo opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary face painting and take selfies with a festive gingerbread man, courtesy of Luton BID.

Julia Horsman, Engagement Manager for Luton BID, said: “Despite the bleak weather forecast we are delighted to inform people that we’re still looking forward to a day full of festive fun at Luton Point as we continue our countdown to Christmas.”

Councillor James Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economy at Luton Council, said: “Following the tremendous success of last year’s event, we’re thrilled to be able to continue with this event and bring the Christmas magic to Luton Point instead of Hat Gardens, which despite not being able to host this event, has been the venue of an outstanding year of community activities, showcasing exactly why Hat Gardens has become such a treasured part of Luton’s town centre.”

The Hat Gardens successful 2024 programme has included 28 days of events and activities, including Morning Yoga, Storytelling on the Steps, Outdoor Cinema, Easter celebrations, the autumn Pumpkin Patch, and more.

This Saturday’s event is part of a four-week festive programme delivered by Luton Council and Luton BID, supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Find out more about the events at luton.gov.uk/christmasintown.

From the Met Office:

Storm Darragh will bring impacts to large parts of the UK from later tomorrow (Friday) and into Saturday.

Storm Darragh follows on from a period of unsettled and squally conditions. The large area of low pressure is expected to bring a period of strong winds to much of the UK.

Jason Kelly is a Met Office Chief Forecaster. He said: “Storm Darragh is an evolving system and will bring several hazards, including wind gusts of up to 70-80mph around western coasts, especially from Devon and Cornwall to southwest Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wind speeds in inland areas will be slightly reduced with maximum gusts expected to reach 60-70mph.”

Feature image by Tim Mossholder on Pexels