Arighi Bianchi unveils giant 110ft Christmas advent calendar in Macclesfield
The illuminated display features festive artwork by Whirley Primary School pupils, with a New York competition and family events also planned for Christmas 2026.
By Cheshire Today
A giant illuminated advent calendar has returned to one of Macclesfield’s best-known buildings, with festive artwork created by local schoolchildren forming part of this year’s display.
Arighi Bianchi has transformed the frontage of its historic furniture store on Silk Road into a Christmas installation measuring 110ft high and 45ft wide.
The display, which has become an annual feature of the retailer’s Christmas celebrations, is large enough to be seen by passengers travelling by train between Macclesfield and Manchester, according to the company.
This year’s calendar includes dozens of Christmas illustrations produced by children from Whirley Primary School, giving local pupils a role in decorating the prominent town-centre landmark.
The installation also forms part of Arighi Bianchi’s latest Postcards from… campaign, which includes a competition offering the chance to win a trip to New York.
The retailer has not provided the competition’s full entry requirements or closing date in its announcement.
A Christmas display on a historic building
Arighi Bianchi was established in 1854 and has been associated with Macclesfield for more than 170 years.
Its distinctive Grade II listed building on Silk Road is a familiar feature of the town, with the large glass-fronted structure providing the setting for the annual illuminated calendar.
The Christmas installation makes use of the building’s height and frontage, creating a display visible beyond the store itself.
Sarah Bianchi, chief executive of Arighi Bianchi, said the calendar had become a familiar part of the company’s seasonal activities.
“Our store-front advent calendar has become quite famous over the years – not just in Macclesfield, but across the wider region too,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful way to mark the start of Christmas and we love seeing people’s reactions when the windows light up.”
She described the 2026 installation as the company’s most spectacular display so far.
More Christmas activities planned
The advent calendar is one part of the retailer’s wider Christmas programme, which includes seasonal shopping events, festive displays and a family fun day featuring Father Christmas.
Dates and booking arrangements for those activities were not included in the announcement.
Arighi Bianchi is also running a Christmas Giving Truck appeal in partnership with local charity Little Cherubs.
The initiative is collecting new, unused and unwrapped gifts for children aged up to 16 whose families are experiencing financial hardship or difficult circumstances.
Donations can be taken to the dedicated collection point at the store on Silk Road, Macclesfield, SK10 1LH.
The main collection period runs until 30 November, although the company says later donations will still be passed to the charity.
The appeal is intended to support children across Macclesfield, the High Peak and surrounding areas.
Further information about the advent calendar, Christmas events and the New York competition is available through Arighi Bianchi’s website at https://www.arighibianchi.co.uk/.