It's starting to look a lot like Christmas.

Well it will be once these Christmas lights are turned on! And if you are keen to get into the festive mood, what better way than embarking on a tour of the special events which are taking place throughout Chester and Ellesmere Port over the next couple of weeks.

Ellesmere Port

Christmas comes to Ellesmere Port on Wednesday, November 30 with the opening of the Christmas Village and the switch on of the Christmas lights.

The lantern parade will leave Civic Square at 5.30pm and return for the turning on of the lights with the mayor and Father Christmas at 6pm. Village stalls will stay open after the switch on.

The Christmas Village will be open every day until Thursday, December 22.

Ellesmere Port Christmas Lights switch on, November 26 2015: children from Brookside, Whitby Heath and Wolverham primary schools
Ellesmere Port Christmas Lights switch on 2015

The Garden Quarter Christmas lights night takes place on Friday, November 25 .

The evening starts with the Chester Blue Coat School festive fayre from 5pm - 7.30pm where there will be live entertainment and Santa's grotto.

The lights will be turned on at 7.45pm along with a firework display.

The evening will conclude with a 'knees up' at The Bouverie from 8.30pm with entertainment provided by A Handbag of Harmonies and Safe House.

Blacon

The Lord Mayor Chester will be switching on the Blacon lights on Thursday, December 1 .

The event starts at 4.30pm at the Camp Shops followed by the Parade switch on at 5pm with a performance from local group Rewind.

Refreshments will be available after the performance.

Handbridge

This year's Christmas event will take place on Saturday, November 26 from 5-7pm.

There will be activities in the local shops, face painting, tombola, mulled wine and mince pies, Santa's grotto, the children of Overleigh school choir, live music from Blue Manoeuvre and lots more going on!

After party at the Carlton tavern with music from David O'Connor 9pm

The Northwich Christmas Extravaganza

Northwich

Northwich will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the town’s Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday, November 26 which takes place throughout the town from 10am until 7pm.

Organisers say this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever thanks to a host of new activities and attractions to keep the crowds entertained.

Santa will of course be in attendance and he’ll be joined by magical princesses and superheroes, stiltwalkers, live art displays and thrilling fairground rides as well as a lantern parade (5pm) and firework finale (6pm at the Library steps).

For more details and timings visit www.visitnorthwich.co.uk

Westminster Park

The annual Lights Switch-On at Westminster Park will be performed by the Sheriff of Chester this year and will take place on Monday, December 5 at 5pm.

This great local community event will get started at 4.30 pm, with the Sheriff arriving at 4.45pm.

Following the Lights Switch-on, Belgrave Primary School choir will be entertaining the crowd with some Christmas songs.

There will then be an opportunity to enjoy hot dogs, mince pies and mulled wine in the festive atmosphere and look at the festive season offerings in the excellent local shops. For the children, there is a visit to Santa’s Grotto.