THE LIGHTS will sparkle to welcome Christmas into Yate at a special event soon.

Yate Shopping Centre’s Christmas Festive Day is on Saturday, November 23 starting at 11am and culminating when Santa turns on the Centre’s lights at 5pm.

In between there will be endless free Christmas fun and entertainment including children’s fairground rides, Postman Pat with his van (write a letter to Santa), Paddington and many more meet and greets, roaming magicians, a balloon modeller, and scores of musical acts.

Andrew Lowrey, Yate Shopping Centre Manager, said: “Once again this year the centre’s festivities will focus on the community with local choirs and groups entertaining visitors as we head towards Christmas.

"The traditional Santa’s Grotto will open the weekend after the Festive Day thrills, and we are once again raising monies for the fantastic local Jessie May Children’s Hospital charity.

“There will be non-stop entertainment throughout the Centre for families, parents and children alike, not forgetting the wide choice of national and local shops and eateries, for the four weeks running up to Christmas Eve when the Grotto will close at 1pm.

"The schedule of events running up to Christmas Eve will be published in due course but if your community choir or group would like to get involved, please contact us”.

Santa’s Grotto will be open from November 30th on every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm, and Monday 23rd December, closing at 1pm on Tuesday 24th December. Entry to the Grotto is free with each child receiving a free sticker and certificate but visitors are invited to make a £1 contribution towards the nominated charity, the local Jessie May Children’s Hospital, for each visit.