See Ashbourne come to life with sparkling Christmas illuminations as Ukrainian children accompanied by the Mayor of Ashbourne Cllr. Anthony Bates and Consort Mrs. Jane Bates, Santa Claus and Mirror Men, turn on the Christmas lights at 5:30pm on Saturday 18^th November in the Market Place. Cllr Bates' theme for his Mayoral year is 'the family'.

Festive music and entertainment commence at 4.00pm, and The Foxgloves will perform seasonal favourites from a specially erected stage in the Market Place.

Christmas street entertainers will be on hand to delight everyone, Mirror Men, LED Jugglers, and Gobot LED Robots will entertain as dusk falls. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining us from the rear of a WWII jeep as the perfect opener to the festive season. A Christmas Craft Fair will be in the upper Ballroom of the Town Hall from 10am till 6pm purveying hand made Christmas gift ideas.

Master of Ceremonies for the event will be John Haynes of Dove Radio.

All are invited to assemble around the Christmas tree on the Market Place ready for the big light up at 5.30pm but are welcome to savour the festive atmosphere in the Market Place from 4.00pm which will be closed to public parking.