Towns set to shine bright as Christmas countdowns begin

Grab your Santa hats, and get ready to sing, dance, and celebrate!

Mid Devon towns are gearing up for the festive season with a host of events over the coming weeks.

The Tiverton Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday, November 22, in the town centre. The event will feature free entertainment and family activities throughout the day in Fore Street, Phoenix Lane and the pannier market.

Visitors can expect stiltwalker, reindeer, entertainers and music from popular band Joey the Lips, who have promised to turn-up the festive vibes to maximum sparkle.

“Brace yourselves Tiverton,” said a band spokesman. “Get ready for a full-on non-stop show packed with funk, soul, motown, disco and pop bangers that will get you singing and dancing all the way to Christmas.

“So wrap up warm, grab your Santa hats and get ready to sing, dance and celebrate as Tiverton gets its Christmas glow on.”

Before the big switch on at 6pm, there is a Magic & Sparkle Christmas Festival at the pannier market, from 2pm. It promises festive fun for all the family with live music, delicious street food, stalls full of gifts and goodies, walk-around magic and much more.

And once again Tiverton Rotary Club have succeeded in persuading Father Christmas to come back to Santa’s Grotto at the marke from .Saturday 22 November – 4pm to 8pm (Light switch on) and then on, Saturday 29 December – 11am to 3pm, Saturday 6 December – 11am to 3pm, Saturday 13 December – 11am to 3pm, Saturday 20 December — 11 am to 3 pm and costs £6 per child to meet Santa and receive a gift.

“The town light switch-on brings the whole celebration to life, with plenty happening throughout the town centre as well,” said a spokesman for the market. “Let’s light up Tiverton together with festive cheer.”

Cullompton ’s community celebration and festive fun takes place on Saturday, November 29, and begins with a tree-planting event at Upcott Field at 10am, followed by an afternoon food market and street entertainment in the Bullring from 2pm to 6pm.

The programme includes stiltwalkers, folk bands, choirs, fire shows and Elf and Nutmeg the baby reindeer puppet, along with a Father Christmas grotto at The Walronds.

The town’s Christmas lights are set to be switched on at 6pm, and a community raffle for a festive hamper will be drawn during the event for anyone who spends £10 with participating shops before November 28.

Crediton ’s Christmas lights switch-on will take place on the same day, November 29, when the Town Square will hosts an afternoon of festive activity from 1pm to 6pm.

Visitors can expect choirs, local stalls, food, drink and seasonal entertainment building up to the Christmas light switch-on.

It promises a lively and welcoming start to the festive season for the people of the town, say the organisers.