Eagle-eyed shoppers will have noticed that the town centre summer bunting is being replaced with festoons of Christmas lights.

The lights are being put up over a period of several weeks in preparation for the grand Christmas lights switch-on, which will take place on Saturday 21 November.

The day’s festivities will start at 1pm at Gostrey Meadow. Throughout the afternoon, school children, local theatre groups, bands and dance companies will take to the stage. The audience will be entertained by festive music and dance, singing, traditional carols and Christmas performances.

Cast members from the Princes Hall’s production of Cinderella and the Harlington Centre’s performance of Aladdin will mingle with the crowd. Both casts will appear on stage and promise to wow the audience with their energetic singing and dancing!

Youngsters will be able to deliver their Christmas letter in person to Father Christmas. It is free to visit Santa and each child will receive a small gift. Children will also be able to meet animals from the popular live nativity scene or have their faces painted so they can become their favourite pantomime character.

Councillor Jill Hargreaves, Lead Member for Tourism and Events says: “If you are planning to come to the Christmas lights switch-on, please visit our Facebook page and let us know. There will be a mystery prize for the person whose name we pull out the hat and the winner will be announced shortly after 4pm. As we approach 4.30pm, the cast of Aladdin will come on stage to join the Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Mrs Pat Frost. The audience will countdown from ten and when they reach ‘one’, the cast and the Mayor will press a magic button and light up the town!

“Following the positive reaction we had to last year’s lights, I am thrilled that we are once again able to extend the scheme so it includes the approach to the railway station. We are also pleased to be introducing a Christmas lighting scheme in Wrecclesham as well as continuing to provide displays at Upper Hale, Badshot Lea and Rowledge.”

Full details about Christmas in Farnham including the performance times of individual schools and groups will be available on the Christmas pages. To enter the draw to win a mystery prize visit the Farnham Town Council Facebook page.