THOUSANDS of people will enjoy sparkling entertainment when Bridgwater gets in the Christmas spirit during tonight's Christmas lights switch-on.

The switch-on has been combined with Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce’s Snowflakes and Shopping event, which will include a host of entertainment and late night shopping.

Throughout the day, there will be a variety of craft and market stalls across the town, a treasure hunt for children, dancing, majorettes, singing, fair rides, face painting, carols, mince pies, a shop window competition, mulled punch, seasonal food and drinks and even an appearance from Father Christmas.

From 4.30pm to 5.45pm, there will be performances from the Chameleon Batonettes, the Julia Macdonald Dance Company and dance group ACTS.

Then at 6pm, former Bridgwater College student Beccy Huxtable, now a producer for BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mill’s Show, will switch on the town’s lights outside the Cornhill.

Afterwards, there will be a spectacular squibbing display, which is normally only seen after the Bridgwater Carnival procession.

There will then be further entertainment, from the Snowflake Spinners, the Fox King Dance Academy, ACTS, the Chameleon Batonettes, Salvation Army Christmas Carol singers, Voice of the People from the Bridgwater Arts Centre choir, culminating with a performance form Bill Smith and the Blues Casters, at the Mansion House pub in High Street, at 8.30pm.