A magical winter carnival will kick off the start of the festive season in Tameside.
The Northern Lights festival will be held in Stalybridge on Saturday, November 16 and will include a whole host of magical events and activities.
In Armentieres Square, there will be a lantern parade at 5pm followed by the big Christmas lights switch on at 6.15pm.
And a Christmas Craft Market with a festive variety of artisan food and drink stalls will arrive at Stalybridge Civic Hall at 11am.
Tameside council and festival specialists Global Grooves have been working together to bring the event to life.
Tameside council executive member responsible for culture Coun Leanne Feeley said: “I’m really looking forward to this year’s Christmas celebrations.
"We’re working with towns and the community to plan some fantastic festive events and we really want people to get involved, while supporting their local towns and traders.
“I’m particularly excited about the Tameside wide event being held in Stalybridge this year.
"The lantern parade promises to be a real spectacle and the town will look especially beautiful and atmospheric with key features illuminated for the event.
"The Christmas market in Stalybridge Civic Hall is an added attraction.
"It should be a fabulous celebration for all to enjoy.”
And there will be plenty of other community-led celebrations happening in close-by towns.
Other town centre community Christmas celebrations:
Friday, November 22
Audenshaw - Entertainment on stage, craft stalls in Ryecroft Hall, fun fair, Father Christmas, mulled wine, brass band and lights switch from 4pm to 7pm (with the lights switch on at 7pm)
Dukinfield - Fun fair, entertainment and Father Christmas on a sledge from 5.30pm to 6.35pm.
Micklehurst - Brass band and Father Christmas from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24
Denton - The three-day Christmas markets will be open on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 8pm and on Sunday from 11am to 5.30pm.
Denton's Got Talent will be held on the Saturday from 2pm to 4pm followed by the Christmas lights switch-on.
Saturday, November 23
Mossley - Bring your own lantern to Mossley's family event featuring music and brass bands from 4pm top 7pm.
Saturday, November 30
Hollingworth - There will be a lantern procession and a tree lights switch on by Father Christmas from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Hyde - Frozen-themed event with Christmas markets, entertainment and a Christmas lights switch-on from 10am to 6.30pm (with the lights switch on at 6pm).
Ashton - Frozen-themed event with singers, entertainment, fun fair and Christmas lights switch on (lights switch on at 6pm).
Sunday, December 8
Hollingworth - The Christmas Market will be open from 11am to 4pm.
Friday, December 6
Hattersley - Christmas market, Father Christmas in his grotto, free children's crafts, choir and brass band performances and living Christmas tree lights switch-on from 4pm to 8pm.
