Fun for all ages at the Great Grimsby Christmas Festival

FROM MERRY MAKERS' MARKET TO TREE LIGHTS SWITCH-ON

- By MARK PAGE

A WHOLE afternoon of festive fun will welcome the start of the most wonderful time of the year in Grimsby this weekend.

The Great Grimsby Christmas Festival returns today with live entertainment, a market and family-friendly activities around the town centre.

The festivities will climax with the eagerly-awaited Grimsby Light Parade at 5.15pm, followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting at 5.45pm in St James' Square, marking the official start of the town's festive season.

This year's festival offers an “even richer mix of things to see and do”, including a lineup of performers on the Main Stage in St James' Square, sponsored by Keepmoat. There will be performances from local acoustic musician Sam Simmons, jazz pianist-vocalist Spencer Booths and classic Christmas covers interspersed throughout the afternoon courtesy of Mak & Co.

As the day goes on, the six-piece band One 80 will ignite the Christmas party with killer riffs, sultry sax, and powerhouse vocals - guaranteed to get you moving and spark your festive spirit.