Seasonal celebrations launch in Truro with Festive Friday (November 22), featuring the Christmas Lights Switch-on in Boscawen Street.

Entertainment organised by the Hall for Cornwall (HFC) will be on stage from 5pm, with cast members of Jack and the Beanstalk (including Edward Rowe, aka Kernow King), Cornwall Dance School, Jason Thomas Performing Arts and Hall for Cornwall Youth. 

The big moment at 7pm will feature Johnny Cowling, Lucy Start, Jack and the Beanstalk cast members and Truro mayor Cllr Carol Swain.

Live music in Boscawen Street will continue until 8.15pm. There will be two large viewing screens displaying the on-stage entertainment, and an accessible viewing area outside Hall for Cornwall.

The main shopping streets will be traffic-free all day, and the last Park & Ride buses will leave the city centre at 9.30pm, departing from River Street for Tregurra Park and Victoria Square for Langarth.

Truro’s Christmas lights are funded and installed by Truro BID via levy contributions from around 375 city businesses.

Many of Truro’s shop windows will once again be decorated with reindeer lights from Festive Friday. Trafalgar Roundabout will be transformed for the fifth festive season by a spectacular illuminated model of Truro Cathedral, to be switched-on daily, and six large, colourful Christmas lights will be dotted around the city, including two festive baubles on the Tesco roundabout.

Festive Friday also sees Truro Christmas Market kick off on Lemon Quay, remaining open until 9pm. Organised by Truro Farmers Market and Cornwall Event Cabins, it will feature alpine-style cabins, street food, entertainment and a festive bar daily until Christmas Eve.

A revolving selection of around 70 traders will be taking part in the daily market, presenting a curated selection of gifts from cheeses to chocolates, candles to ceramics; as well as all festive food and drink including mince pies and roasted chestnuts, to be washed down with steaming cups of mulled wine and luxurious hot chocolates.

Look out, too, for daily performances by groups and entertainers, plus a giant snow globe for family photo opportunities.

Another 50 traders will pop up on Boscawen Street every Wednesday and Saturday, a collaboration between Truro Farmers Market and Cornwall Shop Small with the support of Truro BID.

For more details, follow Truro Christmas Market on social media, or visit www.trurochristmas.co.uk

The Father Christmas Parade will coincide with the first Late-Night Shopping evening on Wednesday, November 27 at 6.30pm.

For more details, visit www.visittruro.org.uk and follow @visittruro on social media.

Father Christmas returns to the Royal Cornwall Museum for eight dates in December. The 40-minute walking theatre and grotto experience is presented by Coppice Theatre. Tickets cost £10 per child including a gift, and £5 for each adult ticket. Visit www.coppicetheatre.co.uk