Sixty bottles of red wine, twelve boxes of mulling spices, eight litres of orange juice and one very special mystery ingredient… that’s what it takes to keep the festive spirit flowing at our Festival of Light.
The mulled wine is created from an old family recipe by Chef Mick Matthewman, and it's always a big hit with the thousands of visitors who help make the event one of the biggest and most popular in the St Luke’s calendar. And just to make sure everybody really gets in the Christmas spirit, we're also adding 2,700 mince pies and gallons of hot soup and coffee!
The Festival of Light sees the hospice gardens transformed into a winter wonderland by thousands of lights – all dedicated in memory of a loved one – which sparkle all the way through Christmas. This year’s event has already raised £35,300 and is expected to make more than £40,000 after all donations have been collected.
The lights will be switched on this Sunday at 6.00pm by St Luke’s Action Group member Audrey Rose, one of the founders of the Festival of Light, in recognition of her many years of support for the fundraising efforts of St Luke's.
One of the evening's highlights is always the community singing, and this year the carols will be led by Holymoorside Brass Band and Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir.
Parking is limited at the hospice, so a free Park and Ride service will be operated by First between the hospice and the Tesco car park in Abbeydale Road from 4.30pm.
The following evening will see the annual Festival of Light tree switched on at the main concourse of Sheffield Station, again at 6.00pm, with music provided by the Sheffield Harmony Chorus.
To dedicate a light at either the hospice or the station simply use the online dedication form or call 0114 236 9911.
Our kind thanks to Sainsburys for donating mince pies,stollen and Christmas cake to accompany the Festival of Light switch-on at the station.
