Father Christmas and his helpers are the latest group to confirm their attendance at this year’s Midsomer Norton Christmas Fayre this Friday, 1st December. The community led event, which marks the town’s traditional Christmas Lights switch-on, will run from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the Hollies Garden and Methodist Church, with the tree lights being switched on at approximately 7.15 p.m.

Many of the town’s stores have also embraced the event by deciding to open late; offering residents an evening of late night shopping opportunities. It is a chance to celebrate community, support local businesses, explore the town and meet with friends. Don’t forget to also follow the town’s Christmas Trail for children and spot the sheep! Forms must be returned by 5th December for the chance to win a prize.

The evening kicks off at 6 p.m., with an hour-long family extravaganza, ‘Carols by Laserlight’ in the Methodist Church. With the building in the glow of brilliant laserlights, families can enjoy their favourite carols with local schools and an exciting live band (with the promise of dramatic entrances from the well-known nativity characters), before heading over to the tree for the main switch-on.

There will be plenty for families to do in the Hollies Garden between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., as Father Christmas and his helpers have taken a break from their heavy workload from the North Pole, bringing their grotto to the Hollies Garden to meet the town’s children. There will also be face painting, a bouncy castle and crafts led by WPA.

There will also be a range of festive market stalls in the Hollies Garden and the neighbouring Chamber building, either side of the lights switch-on, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – so wrap-up warm and take a browse of what the stalls and local shops have to offer. The market will open with a range of festive food options, popular local crafters offering gifts and local community groups fundraising. For anyone not already feeling festive enough, the Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band will be playing two sets of seasonal music.

This year’s event has been put together by the Midsomer Norton Community Trust, Midsomer Norton Churches Together and the Somer Valley Chamber of Commerce. The organisers would like to extend their thanks to Midsomer Norton Town Council for supplying the core funding and Sam Chivers Estate Agents and Fireshield for their sponsorship.