THE festive date to put in your diary before Christmas Day is Saturday, November 25, the date of the Christmas in Crediton events and Lights Switch-On.

The Christmas in Crediton Sub-Committee of Crediton Town Council has been working hard organising the lighting up of the town and many will have already seen some Christmas cheer starting to appear with the trees and illuminations going up earlier than usual.

More than 120 illuminations will go up this year, ready for the Switch-On.

Many people enjoy taking part in the countdown to see the lights on the giant Christmas Tree placed in the Town Square and also view those in the immediate area of the Square.

Plans for the Switch-On event on or around the Town Square include some new events, activities and things to see.

The run down includes:

2pm - Official Opening on the Town Square, 2pm - Elves and Snow King and Queen arrive, 2.05pm - The Turning Tides Project, 2.20pm - Punch and Judy Show (Council Offices), 2.25pm - Otter Morris, 2.45pm - Sandford Sings, 2.45pm - Puppet Making Workshop (Council Offices), 3.20pm - School Choirs Sing, 3.40pm - Otter Morris, 3.40pm - Punch and Judy Show (Council Offices), 4.05pm - Red Dirt Band, 4.30pm - Lantern Procession and Parade with Otter Morris, 4.50pm - Father Christmas, 5pm - Lights Switch-On, 5.10pm - Red Dirt Band, Until late - Late Night Shopping.

Entertainingly Different’s Jack Frost will be providing festive family fun, seasonal silliness and circus skills in the Town Square throughout the afternoon.  There may even be the opportunity to take a snowy selfie as he casts his wintery spell over the town.

During the afternoon there will be some buskers playing at venues in Crediton High Street.

Busking slots are still available and full details can be obtained by emailing: [email protected] .

There will be children’s activities such as wrapping paper making and an Elf Hunt around the Town Square during the afternoon.

There will be a number of food and drink stalls on the Town Square during the afternoon and early evening.

Many children from local Primary Schools and pre-schools and town organisations will be taking part in the Lantern Procession.  They have been busy making lanterns at workshops organised by the Christmas in Crediton Committee.

Many High Street shops and those in other parts of the town have agreed to stay open late for the evening to enable people to take some time for Christmas Shopping.

A further Late Night Christmas Shopping Day evening has been arranged and will take place on Thursday, December 7.

The Christmas in Crediton Committee was pleased to be able to fund the free provision of trees and illuminations in the High Street and other parts of the town again this year.  The Committee acknowledges that some businesses do make financial contributions to help pay for the illuminations.

The Mayor of Crediton, Cllr Liz Brookes-Hocking, said: “I am delighted that there will be such an exciting programme of events from 2pm on light switch on day.

“I look forward to welcoming all the performers, and everyone who is going to come along and enjoy the afternoon.

“We are excited that the shops will be open extending their opening hours, this is a great opportunity to buy locally and support our High Street which has such a lot to offer to shoppers this Christmas.”

• Motorists are reminded that there will be a temporary prohibition of through traffic and parking in Market Street, Parliament Street and North Street from 12 noon to 7pm on Saturday, November 25 to enable the Christmas Lights Switch-On to take place.