CROWDS gathered in Midsomer Norton to enjoy the town’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On, filling the streets with festive cheer, music, and laughter.

Despite the rain, the town centre was well attended, with residents and visitors enjoying the festive atmosphere, from the opening of the market stalls to the arrival of Father Christmas

Speaking on the night, Alex Davis, events manager for Midsomer Norton Community Trust, the lead organiser of the evening, said: “Seeing the community come together with such enthusiasm is incredibly uplifting. We thank the raft of local traders volunteers and businesses who made this evening possible. We of course also thank Midsomer Norton Town Council for their continued sponsorship of community events.”

The Hollies Garden served as the focal point of the event, featuring a programme of live music with performances from DJ JazzMagnum, Laura Nicholas and Faz Farrell, followed by a Christmas singalong and countdown presented by the town’s Merriman Theatre Group.

For the first time, The Island was used as an entertainment area, where families enjoyed performances by the Midsomer Norton Community Band and traditional Punch & Judy shows, while the newly opened Town Hall development attracted visitors keen to explore the revitalised space.