CHRISTMAS lights switch-ons are set to mark the start of the festive celebrations, with events lined up around the county over the next few weeks.

Festivities kick-off at Hereford's Old Market this Saturday (November 18), where Santa Claus will be meeting visitors along with Dinky the Elf, the Ice Queen and Jack Frost.

There will be live music, facepainting for children, and the lights will be turned on at 5.30pm.

Attention will then turn to Hereford's High Town on Sunday (November 19) where the lights will be switched on at 5pm by former X Factor stars Chico, Lucy Spraggan and Nicola Marie.

Music and entertainment start at 3pm before the lights are switched on at 5pm.

Pam Guiver, Herefordshire's 'volunteer of the year', will join Bromyard’s own royally-recognised team of loyal volunteers, the town’s ‘Light Brigade’, as she presses the button to bring this year’s display to life on Saturday.

The lights will be switched on at 5pm sharp, but the event begins at 10.30am and includes bazaars and Christmas Fayres from local organisations, Santa arriving in town by sleigh at 1pm to meet children in his workshop at the Falcon Mews, a kiddies’ roundabout in the Market Square, peals of Christmas bells from St Peter’s Church, and music in the Square by the Choral Society and the Wind Band. Visit bromyardchristmaslights.co.uk for more information.

A Christmas Fayre will take place on Sunday (November 19) in Ross-on-Wye to kick-start the town's celebrations.

There'll be stalls, music, food, entertainment at the Market House on High Street between 11am and 5pm, as well as Santa in his grotto between 11am and 3.30pm. The lights will be turned on at 4pm.

The lights go on in Ledbury next Saturday (November 25), with festivities beginning at 1pm in the town centre. Father Christmas will arrive at the Market House at 1pm on a Weston's Cider dray and can be visited in his grotto from 1.15pm.

Entertainment will be on offer from Ledbury Brass Band and Community Choir, Ledbury Dance Company, the Silurian Morris Men, and others before the lights are switched on at 5.30pm.

In Leominster, Like Radio will be entertaining the crowds next Saturday (November 25) along with Pulse FX, lighting, sound and effects experts.

The Leominster Christmas Jubilee-organised event starts at 4pm in the Corn Square and there'll also be performances by Instep Dancers, 2Faced Dance Company, Dolloway Dancers as well as a 'very special' guest tribute act.

The lights will be switched on at 5.15pm.

Kington's switch-on will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 30 at the Market Hall. Further details to be confirmed.