THE skies will be bright this weekend as Christmas lights are switched on in towns across West Cumbria.

A number of events to kickstart the season will include Santa, a continental market, a mini-zoo, live music, gift stalls and warming refreshments.

Tonight Cleator Moor will switch on its lights at an event held in the Civic and Masonic Centre.

A festive market, with guest of honour Father Christmas, opens at 3.30pm and features a host of stalls selling gifts, crafts and refreshments. Entertainment will be provided by the Holly and Ivy Duo and music courtesy of Cleator Moor Brass Band.

And at 5.30pm, the lights will be switched on by Moor Row song star Jolan, who was runner-up in the BBC’s The Voice this year.

Maryport’s Christmas lights will be switched on tomorrow around 5pm with the help of toddler, Jack Gibson who is undergoing treatment for cancer, and six-year-old Lillie-Mae Jackson who lost her legs and an arm through meningitis.

A Christmas continental market will be set up in Senhouse Street, starting at 12 noon.

Flimby Brass Band will play between 1-2pm and there will be live entertainment and activities at the top of Senhouse Street from 2pm until 6pm including the Misfitz, Maryport School choir, Spotlight and Imagination Parties.

Santa will be in his grotto in the Labour Club from 2pm to 6pm.

A Christmas fayre will also be held at Seaton’s St Paul’s Church from 10.30am with entertainment, craft stalls and children’s choirs throughout the afternoon.

Lights will be switched on around 5pm near the village green following a visit from Marshall, a Paw Patrol puppy, from the Nickelodeon show. Seaton folk have even knitted and crocheted Christmas decorations to hang around the town.

Festive fun is also planned for Egremont on Sunday from 1pm as the Christmas Wonderland comes to town.

An array of animals included meerkats and tarantulas will join superheroes to bring festive cheer to Main Street.

Egremont Amenity Committee’s event includes music, a snow globe, the lights switch-on and Santa’s grotto.

Superheroes Batman, Spiderman and Captain America will make an appearance alongside a princess.

“People will remember that unfortunately last year, we had to cancel our event due to the adverse weather and we were absolutely gutted not only for all the hard work we had put into the event but for the community,” said Geraldine Pritchard, from the amenity committee.

“So this Christmas, we have made our event bigger and better than ever before, make sure you get yourself there.”