There will be plenty of festive fun for all the family in Warminster tomorrow, with a range of events and activities planned for the annual Christmas lights switch-on.

The day will start with a Christmas Market at Warminster Civic Centre from 10am to 5pm, where 30-plus stalls will be selling a host of Christmas gift items, including rocking horses, jewellery, soft furnishing and sweets.

Children will also have the chance to visit Santa Claus in his grotto, while festive music will be provided by the choirs of Minster, Princecroft and Sambourne Schools, along with performances by Charlotte Mole and Richard Raw.

The Christmas lights switch-on will begin with a lantern parade led by a samba band from the Central Car Park at 4.15pm, along Station Road to Market Place. The switch-on will happen at 5.15pm and will be followed by a firework display in the Market Place.

Alan Richardson, co-organiser of the lights switch-on, said: “Market Place will be closed from 3.30pm until 6pm to allow for the lantern parade to take place before the lights switch-on.

“We think there are going to be about 500 children taking part in the parade with their lanterns from the Central Car Park to Market Place and they will be joined by the town crier and the Bath Samba Band.

“The mayor will speak before the lights switch-on, which will be followed by a five minute firework display. We have never done anything like this before for the lights switch-on.

“We wanted to do something a bit different this year and hopefully there will be a good turnout from the town to celebrate the festivities.”

Residents and visitors to the town will also be able take advantage of Wiltshire Council granting free parking at all of Warminster’s pay-and-display car parks for the whole day.