CHRISTMAS will arrive in Leigh next week with two annual events taking place to kick off the festive season.

The Christmas lights will be switched on in Leigh Town Hall Square on November 20 by the former Journal news editor Brian Gomm, Father Christmas and the Mayor of Wigan Borough, Cllr Phyll Cullen at 7pm.

There will be a children’s funfair starting at 3.30pm with on-stage entertainment and music from 5pm featuring singer Zoe Unsworth, Stepz Dance Academy, St Joseph’s Players, the Leigh Centurions with mascot Parky Pig and festive characters.

Following this, on November 22, there will be Father Christmas Santa and his live reindeer will sleigh ride into Leigh for a traditional family parade from 3.30pm.

This year the parade will feature players from Leigh Centurions and a new Leigh Market mascot will makes its very first appearance.

Cllr Cullen said: “Leigh town centre is full of festive spirit with so many activities planned for families to get involved in.

“On behalf of everybody who has worked hard to lay on this year’s Christmas celebrations, I’d like to urge people to come to Leigh and join in the fun.”

The parade will go down Bradshawgate through Ellesmere Street and into the Spinning Gate Shopping Centre where Santa, the Leigh Centurions and the Mayor of Wigan Borough, Cllr Cullen will turn on the Christmas tree lights followed by carol singing with Old Hall Brass Band.

Before the parade, there will be live entertainment from 12.30pm in the Spinning Gate Shopping Centre, Leigh Market and Leigh town centre.

Ayrton Westwood, centre manager of Spinning Gate Shopping Centre and chairman of the Love Leigh Leigh Partnership Group, said: “Christmas in Leigh is going to be a fabulous celebration this year.

“It is great to see all our Love Leigh partners getting involved with our festivities and especially the Leigh Market traders who will participate in our parade for the first time this year.”