It's November and the countdown to Christmas 2019 has begun in earnest.
But for thousands of us, it only truly begins when the festive lights have been turned on in our town.
The line-up has already been announced for Manchester city centre's show , which is moving from its traditional home in Albert Square to Deansgate this year and will take place on Thursday, November 14 .
But whether you live in Stockport or Bolton, there's sure to be a switch on event near you soon.
The events attract families from miles around, eager to set sights on pop acts and performers entertaining the crowds before the big buttons are pressed.
We've put together a guide to the Christmas lights switch on events taking place across the region.
Here's what's happening when and where...
Manchester City Centre
The main city centre celebrations are moving to a new location this year.
After more than two decades in Albert Square, this year's show will take place in the shadow of Manchester Cathedral on Deansgate, to make way for work on the town hall.
The line-up for the lights switch on, taking place on Thursday, November 14 , has been announced, with Becky Hill, who found fame on The Voice, topping the bill.
She'll be joined by YouTube sensation and former CBBC presenter HRVY and X Factor girl group Four of Diamonds.
The festive family show will finish with a fireworks display and as always, the stars of the city's Christmas pantos and stage shows will be putting in an appearance too, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from the Opera House and The Grinch along with the cast of Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas coming to The Lowry.
Olly Dobson, who plays Marty McFly in the forthcoming Back to the Future the musical at the Opera House, is now also confirmed to make an appearance.
The show takes place from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, and is free to attend. Find out more here .
Wigan
Wigan's festivities take place on the same night as Manchester's.
Its Christmas Cracker lights switch-on starts from 5.30pm on Thursday, November 14.
There'll be a Greatest Showman themed performance in Market Place, followed by stage shows from Aladdin and a Minions Meltdown Show, as well as an interactive Jedi Training Show.
CBBC's Hacker T Dog will be entertaining the crowds ahead of the 7pm switch-on.
It comes ahead of the town's Santa’s Reindeer Parade from 1pm in Wigan town centre on Sunday, November 17.
MediaCity, Salford
The Grinch will also be spreading some mischief at MediaCity when he'll be appearing at the lights switch on.
The event takes place on Friday, November 15 and marks the official opening of the ice rink and Christmas markets.
BBC Radio 1 presenter Katie Thistleton will thankfully be on hand to save the lights from the antics of the mischievous Grinch.
Families will be able to browse through the numerous Christmas food and drink stalls from 3pm before the switch-on, which runs from 5pm to 7pm.
There'll also be music from the BBC Philharmonic and the popular Rock Choir will perform a medley of Christmas favourites.
MediaCity has not had an ice rink for several years and, combined with the markets, this promises to be its largest festive attraction yet.
Skating sessions are available to pre-book now and we reported how, from November 23, Whoville Christmas Markets are also coming to the nearby Lowry Outlet next as The Lowry theatre prepares for the arrival of Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical .
Tameside
Tameside town centres host individual lights switch on events and a spectacular Lantern Parade.
This year a Northern Lights winter carnival and lantern parade will kick-start the festivities in Stalybridge.
Taking place on Saturday, November 16 'beautiful and atmospheric lights' will showcase key features of the town.
The lantern parade, which starts at 5pm, will culminate in Armentieres Square with entertainment and a Christmas lights switch on from approximately 6.15pm.
Celebrations will also include a Christmas Craft Market in Stalybridge Civic Hall on the day from 11am, with a funfair and wide variety of festive and artisan stalls.
The big switch-on in Ashton takes place on Saturday, November 30 , when activities are running all day until 6pm.
The event takes on a Frozen theme and there'll be singers, entertainment and a funfair.
See the website here to see details of events in your town.
Stockport
The 'ultimate Winter Wonderland experience' is promised at Merseyway Shopping Centre's lights switch-on event.
It will feature a white dragon, giant swans, aerial acrobat, stilt walkers, ice people, choir performances, falling snow and much more.
It will be the centre's first ever Winter Wonderland and takes place on Saturday, November 16 .
The Snow Fairy will begin the countdown to Christmas from around 4.15pm and there'll be shows and performances at 4.30pm, 5.45pm and 7pm.
Families should look up to see an aerial acrobat performance, while an animatronic reindeer will be making its way around the centre to greet little shoppers too.
The stars of the Stockport Plaza pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, will be there too, along with stilt walkers, and visitors will be able to sing along to popular Christmas songs with local choirs.
Visit the website here for more details.
Altrincham
Lemar will headline this year’s switch-on show in Altrincham.
The event, organised by Altrincham BID, takes place from 4.30pm on Saturday, November 16 , presented by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan.
It'll also feature CBeebies’ Katy Ashworth, plus local children’s choir The Little Belters.
Schools and community choirs will take to the stage by Rackhams and Wilko from midday, with a festive musical build-up to the early evening switch-on event.
A pop-up Santa’s Grotto will make its first appearance too and will be there every Saturday, in different locations throughout the town, until December 14.
See the website here for more details.
Bolton
Singer, actor and ice-skater Ray Quinn will top the bill at this year's lights switch-on in Bolton.
Ray, who is , found fame on X Factor, became Dancing On Ice Champion, and is currently in Hollyoaks.
He'll be turning on the lights in Victoria Square, on Thursday, November 21 .
The show begins at 5pm with local musicians and groups entertaining the crowds.
Other cast members from The Albert Halls’ Aladdin panto will also be putting in an appearance.
Ray will push the button at 7pm and this will be followed by a spectacular fireworks finale over Bolton Town Hall.
Tower FM presenter Jon Holling, who is playing Abanazar in Aladdin, will host the Victoria Square show.
To find out more about the switch-on and for more details of the programme of Christmas fun coming to Bolton, visit boltonwinterfestival.com
Oldham
CBeebies’ big friendly dog Hey Duggee will be the star of the show at Oldham's lights switch-on event this year.
The event runs from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday, November 24 and he'll be there at intervals throughout the day (1pm, 2pm and 3pm).
The main switch-on celebrations take to the main stage from 5pm until 6pm and the fair runs until 7pm.
Rochdale
Rochdale's lights are also being switched on at the town hall towards the end of November.
The Christmas Market will be held inside the town hall from 1pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, November 24 , where there'll be festive music, refreshments and stalls selling 'unique gifts'.
The party will start outside from around 4.30pm, with entertainment from Fat Cat Brass and an outdoor illuminated performance by Skylight Circus.
Look out for The Winter Fairy, Winter Wonderland Birds, Jacks of Frost and The Luminas who promise to 'enchant people of all ages with sparkle and grace'.
At 5pm special guests will be out on the town hall balcony for the big switch-on at 5pm.
See the website here for more details.
