LATE-night shopping accompanied by the voices of school choirs will be the backdrop to the Christmas lights being switched on in Ilminster.

Starting at lunchtime on Friday, November 22, the event – organised by Ilminster Chamber of Commerce and Ilminster Christmas Lights with the support of the town council – will offer food and drink, music, shopping and more, before the lights are turned on at around 7pm.

In the build-up to the event, volunteers have been working hard to put up the lights, as well as making sure they are all working and ready to go.

Meanwhile, shopkeepers have turned their minds to the Best Dressed Window Competition, which this year carries the theme of ‘A Christmas card’, with results set to be announced at the switch-on.

The day itself starts at around lunchtime, with five schools performing in the Market Square throughout the afternoon. Refreshments will be available to purchase in aid of the lights.

And from 4pm, the town centre will be shut to traffic to allow crowds to gather in the streets, enjoying food and drink, as well as many shops opening into the evening.

“Alongside this shopping, a Christmas fayre is being held in the Isle Youth Centre which will bring some different crafts and gifts for people to enjoy,” a spokesperson said.

The fayre will run from 3.30pm to 8pm.

Once the roads are closed, music and entertainment will also start on the stage in the square, including live singers and a puppet show, while other family activities will be on offer around the town.

A parade at around 6.20pm will make its way through town, along Silver street, through the Market Square and up East Street, featuring the Ilminster Diamond Majorettes, Ilminster Icons & Ilminster Illuminations, as well as a lantern parade and Father Christmas in his sleigh.

The Ilminster Warehouse Theatre Panto cast will also be out, while on stage, DJ Ginge the MC will be joined by members of the Christmas Lights Committee, who will press the plunger to illuminate the town.

“More live music will follow the switch on and people are encouraged to stay and continue to enjoy what’s on offer in the town,” the spokesperson added.

The Ilminster Christmas lights team has been hard at work getting the town ready…

“The light’s themselves this year include improvements to the triangle display as well as other garlands throughout the town.

“Over 90 Christmas trees will be dressed and erected over the coming weeks by the team, including some 20ft tall.

“Thanks must go to the support from shopkeepers who support the trees and the event posters each year.”

Matt Sainsbury, from the Lights Committee, said: “We are keen for switch on night once again and its all systems go behind the scenes to get everything in place.

“Time goes so quick before the event but we are in a good place at the moment, with most of the work remaining being trees and timers.”

And host DJ Ginge added: “It’s my favourite part of the year, it’s great to see so many people in the town enjoying the event and the lights themselves.

“Hopefully the roads closing a little earlier will encourage people to spend longer in the town in the lead up to 7pm.

“I would encourage people to come and watched the schools sing, this is special every year and you can really see the joy on the children’s faces.”

Anyone interested in supporting the event or the lights in any way should email ilminsterchristmaslights@gmail.com.

School choirs taking part in Ilminster are:
South Petherton: 1.30pm
Herne View Ilminster 2.15pm
Hambridge: 3pm
Three Saints (Ilton & Shepton Beauchamp): 4pm
Neroche: 4.30pm