Shepton Mallet is gearing up for a festive evening of celebration with the town's annual Christmas lights switch-on event, set to feature an array of activities, food, music, and family-friendly entertainment.

Organised by Shepton Mallet Town Council, the event promises to transform the town into a winter wonderland, with highlights including market stalls, workshops, live performances, and even a visit from Santa.

To make the evening even easier to attend, there will be free parking available at Great Ostry car park.

This year's event will include creative workshops at Shepton Library, where Holly and Hawthorne will lead sessions on making wooden and pine cone Christmas tree decorations.

For younger children, there will be a Music & Movement session, hosted by Willow, Sing-a-Ling, designed to get children under five singing and dancing.

Over at Create@8, Josephine Dawn Monroe will guide visitors in crafting felt decorations, perfect for brightening up any home or to be gifted to family and friends.

Families can enjoy Santa's Grotto, along with the chance to meet and pet donkeys, creating a magical experience for young ones. The night market will offer a wide selection of local crafts, food, and drink, alongside extended shopping hours at many popular Shepton Mallet shops, providing a unique opportunity to pick up gifts and support local businesses.

To keep everyone warm, there will be a delicious selection of hot food and drinks, including hog roasts, fresh wood-fired pizza, and mulled cider. Adding to the festive atmosphere, Shepton Mallet Big Band, Frome Bandits, and All Hallows Choir will perform throughout the evening, filling the streets with music and holiday cheer.

The event aims to bring the community together for a memorable night of seasonal festivities. More details about the Christmas lights switch-on can be found on the Hello Shepton website at Hello Shepton event page link.