BURNLEY'S festive season will kick off next weekend with a Christmas party culminating in the town's lights switch-on.

The town's Christmas party takes place on Saturday, November 17 from 10am to 5.30pm.

From 10am there will be a Christmas film-themed ice sculpture trail, with nine ice sculptures located around the town centre.

People correctly guessing which film the sculptures are from will be entered into a free prize draw.

From noon a performance stage on the pedestrianised part of St James' Street will feature music and dance performances from talented local singers and groups.

Among the performers confirmed so far are the Contempo Choir, Next Level Dance, Unique Dance & Fitness and local singers Tom Scothern and Jay Stansfield.

Throughout the day there will be Burnley Market's festive street market, roaming character performers, Bjorn the polar bear, children's fairground rides, and Christmas elf and fairy workshops on Burnley Market.

There will be a festive family switch on show from It's My Party taking place from 4.30pm with the switch on and a magical firework display at about 5pm.

The event is organised by Burnley Council’s town centre management and Burnley Markets staff and Charter Walk shopping centre.

It is supported by town centre partners including Pennine Community Credit Union, Burnley Leisure, McDonalds and Tesco Burnley.