MIDDLEWICH will step into Christmas this weekend, with the Christmas fair including the lights switch on and two days of activities in the town centre.

The big switch on will return to a Friday evening on November 25, with town mayor Cllr Pam Farrell doing the honours at 5pm.

The Friday fair also includes a Signal Radio Roadshow in the Bull Ring, along with schools concerts, a lantern parade and an appearance by stars of the Northwich pantomime.

Due to high demand, there will be two school concerts at St Michael’s church in Hightown. Cledford Primary School and St Marys Primary School are singing at 4pm, with Wimboldsley Primary School and Middlewich Primary School at 5.15pm.

The lantern parade will take place at 4.30pm, led by Cllr Farrell and Santa Claus.

Proceedings on Saturday, November 26, will be tied in with the November Maker’s Market, with artisan stalls lining Wheelock Street between 10am and 3pm.

Brass bands and carol singers will provide a soundtrack to the shopping, while children can step into Santa’s Grotto to meet the man himself.

Dave Thompson, Middlewich Town Council events manager, said: “We have previously done it on the Saturday, but the primary schools really wanted to be part of it. We have moved it so they can come out of school and see the parade and be involved in the concert.

“It’s a bit of a headache trying to accommodate everyone in the Bull Ring. Safety can be a real issue but it’s our number one priority.

“It’s a real highlight for the town and we all look forward to it.

“Over the past six weeks, children have been making lanterns from recycled material at Fuzzy Ed’s, so they can take part in the parade themselves.”

Fuzzy Ed’s at the Harvester Salt Cellar will sponsor the parade on Friday, while the White Bear are supporting the Bull Ring roadshow.

The event is one of the most popular in the Middlewich calendar, attracting thousands of visitors.