The countdown to Christmas festivities has begun ­— well it has in Bolton.

For the big day really is just around the corner.

A pub in Bolton town centre is all set for Christmas ­— in July ­— celebrations, featuring live music and charity fundraising events ­— and all the traditional trimmings.

The Balmoral Hotel is preparing to host its Christmas in July celebration all afternoon on Saturday, July 27.

The pub was taken over by Danny Loynd in mid-2022 and is run under the umbrella of operator Craft Union Pub Company.

It will be the second time the Balmoral has hosted a Christmas in July event, after Danny organised the event for the first-time last year.

“It was just a crazy idea,” said Danny, “but we managed to make it happen, and everybody absolutely loved it. We were the talk of the town that day and must have welcomed up to 800 people over the course of the day.”

As for this year, Danny is hoping the event will be even larger.

He said: “We’re trying to make it more charity-focused this year,” he adds. The Christmas party will include a raffle to raise money for Fortalice Bolton, a refuge for victims of domestic abuse, with grand prizes including beer hampers and Bolton Wanderers season tickets.

The event is free-entry and will see the pub transformed into a Christmas wonderland, complete with Christmas decorations, a log-fire, and a Christmas-style buffet.

The pub has already confirmed its line-up of local live performers for the event, including vocalists Tom Townsend and Johanna Batterby, and singer and acoustic guitarist Tommy Govan.

“I hope people are able to come down to the Balmoral and enjoy themselves. Christmas is the one time of year where everyone gets together with their families and friends, we hope to bring the joy of Christmas to the rest of the year.”