CHIPPENHAM’S Christmas lights switch-on has this year been extended to a whole weekend’s winter festival.

The town council-organised event aims to involve several community groups and have something for all age groups, with a children’s party at the Neeld Hall from 1-3.30pm and a tea dance at the Consti Club from 3-6pm, both on Sunday.

The lights will be turned on at 6pm on Saturday by actor Chris Barrie, famous for Red Dwarf and The Brittas Empire, following a day of street entertainers, fun fair rides on Island Park, Chippenham FM Radio broadcasting live from the High Street, dancing from CLOGS and carols from Chippenham Churches Together. All Wiltshire Council’s car parks will be free over the whole weekend.

The festivities will culminate on Sunday at 4pm with a torch procession from the town bridge to the Market Place, where Christmas carols will be sung around the Christmas tree led by Chippenham Churches Together, with music provided by Chippenham Town Band.

Everyone is invited to make a lantern at Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre on Saturday 10.30am to 3.30pm, which they can use when taking part in Sunday’s procession.

Chippenham town councillor Melody Thompson said: “I’m really excited about the new format and felt it was important to provide a variety of activities over the course of a weekend to bring people from all corners of our community together.

“We have faced some stiff competition from other towns as this is a popular weekend for Christmas activities throughout the county and it’s taken us a while to catch on.

“Chippenham has all the potential to be a leading light for events like this, especially with the increased footfall in the town and the changes taking place this year are certainly a step in the right direction.”

Father Christmas will take a tour of the High Street in his reindeer-pulled sleigh from 11am on Saturday, before arriving at his grotto in Emery Gate, open 12.30pm to 4pm.

There is also a 12-hour Christmas market throughout the High Street from 8am on Saturday and community stalls and a book signing by The Murder of Crows author Wil Hulbert in Emery Gate between 10am and 6pm.

A winter food festival, in conjunction with Wiltshire Farmers’ Markets Association, will be in the High Street on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

A live nativity in St Andrew’s Church, from 4-6pm on both days, will include a donkey accustomed to Bristol Cathedral.

For a full programme, see www.chippenham.gov.uk