Christmas is coming, with a feast of festive fun planned in Accrington.

Its grand Christmas Lights Switch-On event takes place at 5pm on Thursday November 26th, with the town centre set to twinkle, plus entertainment from a live music show and fireworks spectacular.

From 5-45pm there will be live music on a specially erected stage outside the Town Hall. Guest artists, in conjunction with The Bee radio station, are X Factor semi-finalist Misha B, Britain's Got Talent stars Henry Gallagher and GABZ, former Liberty X singer Kevin Simm and Matt Fitzgerald, formerly of ReConnected.

Accrington's Christmas lights will be officially switched on by the Mayor of Hyndburn, Coun. Marlene Haworth, there will be funfair rides and, at 7-40pm, a festive fireworks display will light up the night sky.

For switched-on Christmas shoppers the town centre's shops will stay open late and there will be a European Yuletide gifts and food market set up in Broadway, with stalls selling a range of handmade goods, attractive gifts and delicious treats right through until Saturday.

Hyndburn Chamber of Trade will run a Family Fun Zone in Blackburn Road from 5-30pm, where attractions will include mascot racing, children's Christmas fancy dress, gift and charity stalls, children's entertainment, competitions and a choir.

A Family Christmas Market will be held in The Ballroom at Accrington Town Hall, running from 5 to 8-30pm, with free entry. Children can visit cheeky elves Dusty and Twinkle to deliver their letter to Santa and make magical reindeer food to take home. Other attractions include a Christmas Cupcake Class, a chance to have your photo taken with The Snow Queen, various food and craft stalls, Santa's Sweetie Cart and free activities including festive face painting and glitter tattoos.

With so much to see and do, Accrington is certainly the place to be on November 26th, but the Christmas cracker events don't stop there. Late night opening by the enticing array of shops in the town centre and Arndale Centre takes place on Thursdays throughout December, and with free parking available.

On Thursday December 10th Warner Street will be transported back in time for a traditional Dickensian Christmas event. Organised by Evonne Harwood, of Pink Magpie Vintage Emporium, and Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, it will have musicians, street entertainers and a variety of market stalls. A candlelight procession led by Accrington Pipe Band will make its way to an outdoor nativity play and carol service at St James' Churchyard, where there will also be Victorian fairground rides.

Many of those taking part will be in Dickensian costume, with visitors encouraged to also dress the part, while mulled wine and roast chestnuts will add to the festive flavour.

Thursday December 19th will see the final late night shopping event before Christmas, with a chance to snap up last minute bargains before the big day. Shoppers on that night can enjoy free roast chestnuts, mulled wine and mince pies kindly supplied by Hyndburn Borough Council.

Coun. Clare Cleary, who chairs the Town Team, said: "It's fantastic that there's so much going on in Hyndburn this Christmas. We hope as many people as possible will come and join in with our festive celebrations and discover everything that Accrington has to offer."

Posters highlighting the Christmas events and attractions will go up around the town this week while more than 35,000 specially printed ‘What's on in Accrington this Christmas' leaflets will be distributed to local households, with more copies available throughout the town centre.

Local trader Mick Morris, from cafe bar and function room Th'Owd Stables at The Abbey, said: "The posters and leaflets look fantastic and there's already a really good buzz going around town about everything that's happening this Christmas. Bring it on!"