THE festive season will officially begin in Huntingdonshire this weekend as the towns light up for Christmas.

THE festive season will officially begin in Huntingdonshire this weekend as the towns light up for Christmas.

St Neots will be the first of the towns to switch on its lights during a night of events on Friday, November 25.

The switch will be flicked at 7pm, but there will also be a host of events to keep families entertained, such as live bands on stage, a brass band with carols under the Christmas tree, a street funfair on the High Street, hot food and drinks, themed walkabout characters and a Santa’s Grotto at the museum.

Black Cat Radio will also be there.

Following on from St Neots, Ramsey will be switching on their lights on Saturday, November 26.

There will be entertainment from schools and local groups, charity stalls, a Christmas fayre and hot food available from 9am until 2pm. The evening entertainment starts at 5.30pm with the lights being switched on at 6.30pm.

The last two towns to switch on their Christmas lights will be St Ives and Huntingdon.

St Ives will be holding a Christmas market as part of its switch-on celebrations.

There will be a Christmas market to wander around from 11am with food and craft stalls and an Italian market.

The afternoon will offer stage entertainment from local schools and groups with Father Christmas and the Mayor of St Ives, Martin Collier, flicking on the lights at 5pm

Huntingdon has a series of events planned throughout the afternoon all taking place in the market square.

As well as a procession (from 4.30pm), there will be a chance to meet Father Christmas, try out some fairground rides, watch some entertainment and listen to HCRfm. The switch-on will take place at 4.45pm.