This Thursday (November 16) The Big Reveal, billed by its organisers as ‘The ultimate Christmas event in Tunbridge Wells’, is returning for its biggest year to date.
“There will be lots of festive magic for the whole family to enjoy at this year’s free events which will take place in three different town locations for 2023,” a spokesperson for the Big Reveal told the Times.
“There will be carol singing, music, and some delicious festive food and drink. Not to mention an incredibly special visit for the little ones as Santa Claus is coming to town with his magic sleigh!”
With the support of the RTW Together BID, this year’s reveal, taking place from 4pm-7pm, will be held across three days (Thursday November 16-Saturday November 18).
“The community Christmas lights will be switched on by some incredibly special children put forward by the local charities including Mental Health Resource Tunbridge Wells, Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, Imago Community and Tree of Hope,” the spokesperson added.
“This year’s lights will be once again provided by the Kent-based company Gala Lights, however for 2023, the three Big Reveal Christmas window trails will take visitors through three unique locations: the Upper Town and Camden Road (November 16), Mount Pleasant, High Street and Chapel Place (November 17) and its original location of The Pantiles (November 18).
“Many of the local traders have been hard at work on their creative designs so make sure to remember to vote for all your favourite festive display windows as you wander through the trails.”
For this year’s event, RTW Together BID is investing a total of £90,000, including £15,000 provided by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council. This will cover all the main Christmas lights for the town (including contributions to Royal Victoria Place and The Pantiles light decorations), the new Ferris Wheel in Calverley Grounds, donations to the Round Table Santa Sleigh and Hospice in the Weald’s Tree of Light.
Alex Green, CEO of RTW Together BID told the Times: “Tunbridge Wells is quite an unusual location in that it spans across a long area, so we wanted the three-day event to celebrate all the different areas that make up this incredible town. One of our core objectives is to support local and generate footfall into the town, and this is a great way to get many of our local bid members, shops, hospitality and businesses, involved in an event that encourages people to visit them.
“We have had a brilliant response from companies wanting to reveal a Christmas window and I have definitely heard rumours of some friendly competition on some streets in the town. We can’t wait to hear who is going to win the public vote for best window in 2023.”
As well as the festive trails, there will also be an opportunity to meet the characters from the Once Upon a Wish Princesses on Thursday. Residents will also have the chance to see one of their ‘Frosty Tales’ shows at the pre-Big Reveal entertainment happening at 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5.35pm in Royal Victoria Place.
There will also be further opportunities to meet cast members from the Assembly Hall Theatre’s Beauty and the Beast pantomime, starring former Eastenders actor Rita Simons, and Trinity Theatre’s Cinderella, on Friday and Saturday respectively.
For more information about the Big Reveal, visit the website at: bigrevealrtw.co.uk
