BLACKBURN is getting into the spirit of Christmas with a lantern parade to the Cathedral before the Lancashire Telegraph Carol Service this evening.

The procession through the town centre, part of the Festival of Light, will begin in King William Street at around 6pm.

Led by a samba band, it will proceed to Blackburn Cathedral grounds for the annual fireworks spectacular at 6.45pm.

Before the service at 7.30pm, seasonal music will be played by the Salvation Army Band. The cathedral choristers will lead the carols.

In addition, skaters have been enjoying the open air ice rink in Town Hall Square which is open daily, apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, until January for everyone from beginners to experienced skaters.

Other events organised by ‘Blackburn is Open’ include next Thursday’s ‘Make And Mend’ fair in Town Hall Square offering creating festive soaps and craft activities.

Short films will be shown in a pop-up cinema opposite the town hall tonight and next Thursday, with street food available.

Blackburn market has a range of events including a ‘Palace of Curiosities’ Victorian side show this weekend and the Bread and Butter Theatre Company next week.

The Mall Blackburn also has events arranged including a Santa’s Grotto and ‘Snowdome’.

Three pantomimes are on offer in the borough: King George’s Hall has ‘Cinderella’ until December 31; Darwen Library Theatre has ‘The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz’ from tomorrow until December 24; and Thwaites Empire Theatre is running ‘Aladdin’ until January 5.

The choirs of Blackburn Cathedral hold their annual Christmas Spectacular Gala concert on Saturday at 7pm.

The programme includes Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols, in celebration of the centenary year of the composer’s birth, as well as traditional Christmas favourites.

The main Cathedral Christmas services start with the ‘Ceremony of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight’ on Monday, December 23, with Children’s Carols at the Crib and Midnight Eucharist on Christmas Eve, and 9am and 10.30am Eucharists on December 25.