Five designs by Todmorden youngsters will be lit up for the first time when the Mayor of Todmorden, Coun Cheryl Stovin, flicks the switch at 4pm on Saturday, November 21.

A Christmas tree by Maddie Pickering, a moon wearing a festive hat by James Fielden, colourful parcels by Lucy Williams, a penguin on ice skates by Rachel Lake and Father Christmas in a chimney by Sophie Leeming, will all feature as the new lights, which will be placed nearest to the town hall. The new designs will join 23 lights from previous years that radiate out from the town centre.

Water Street, which will be closed to traffic, and Patmos will be strewn with snow as shoppers and traders get into the festive spirit with the help of mince pies, mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Street entertainment will be provided by musicians and stilt walkers in the town centre and Punch and Judy shows, at 11am and 1.30pm on Patmos.

Hazel Stobbs, Todmorden Town Council development worker, said everybody was hoping for good weather so people could enjoy the snow scenes and candle lit procession.

"Everyone has really pulled together to make sure this will be a fun family event – and we are promoting the businesses in the town as well," said Hazel.

There will be a Dickensian fair at St Mary's Church with stalls, people in fancy dress and singing by the Todmorden Gospel Choir and then the Todmorden Church of England School Choir.

The candlelit procession from St Mary's Church will be led by Canon Owen Page. It will proceed through the town, via Water Street, Halifax Road and Bramsche Square, before carols and music at the Peace Garden, next to Todmorden Town Hall, with Todmorden Community Band, Todmorden Choral Society and Father Christmas.

Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free parking in the Bramsche Street car parks every Saturday from this week until Christmas.

They will also be able to join in with a treasure trail, with question sheets available at Todmorden Information Centre, Todmorden Social Car Service and other outlets.

Louise Castro, of Todmorden Together, said children would also be able to make a wish by placing a star on the Christmas wishing tree in Todmorden Market Hall.

The event will bring together the town council, Todmorden Together Todmorden Business Association and Todmorden traders, including those at Patmos and Water Street, who have organised festive fare for shoppers.

Children have already attended two lantern-making workshops but there will be another opportunity to make lanterns before the procession for those who have not yet had the chance.