This year Christmas celebrations launch in Truro on Friday 19 November with Festive Friday.
The main event will be the Christmas lights-switch on, in partnership with Pirate FM and Truro BID, followed by a festive parade.
Other new events, such as day time and late-night markets, will be taking place across the city.
From 3pm Pirate FM’s Johnny Cowling and Lucy Start will be broadcasting from the stage in Boscawen Street, building up to the switching on of the lights.
There will be special entertainment on the stage at 6.30pm organised by Hall for Cornwall; and then the lights will be switched-on by Johnny Cowling, Truro’s Town Crier, Lionel Knight, Father Christmas and cast members from Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas Show Cinderella.
The Truro lights may look a little different this year due to new replacement lights on Lemon Quay, Frances St and Pydar St, and new for 2021, lights in Duke St, Wallsingham Place and part of Victoria Gardens.
Following the lights switch-on, there will be a celebratory parade around Truro featuring performers, music and Father Christmas in his sleigh.
The theme of the parade complements Hall for Cornwall’s annual Christmas production Cinderella, and will feature nearly 300 performers consisting of young dancers, performing arts students, circus performers, choirs, samba bands and professional actors.
Expect sparkly costumes, music party sounds, dancing and interactive characters in the procession which is themed ‘Cinderella – A transformation parade.’
Father Christmas himself will also be there, along with Camborne Youth Band playing Christmas music to get visitors into the festive spirit.
The on stage and on the street, celebrations will feature cast members of Cinderella, InspirAsian Dance and Truro's local youth talent in the shape of Cornwall Dance School, Jason Thomas Performing Arts and Hall for Cornwall Youth.
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Helen Tiplady, Deputy Creative Director from Hall for Cornwall (HfC) said: "We can’t wait to be part of the festive celebrations this year! HfC are delighted to be working with Truro BID and partners, we’ve so missed Christmas events.
"This year we wanted to add some sparkle and fizz to the proceedings.
"We hope you’ll enjoy watching the performance and parade as much as we’ve enjoyed working on it."
Truro’s City Centre Christmas Lights are funded and installed by Truro Businesses Improvement District (BID) via the BID levy contributions from around 400 Truro Businesses, along with past donations from both Lionel and his wife Carol Knight.
The new replacement and additional Christmas lights have mainly been paid for by Accelerator Capital Funding from the Truro Town Deal which Truro BID was awarded earlier this year.
Town Crier, Lionel Knight: "Really looking forward to be switching-on Truro’s lights again and seeing Truro getting into the spirit of Christmas.
"Great to have Johnny Cowling and others switching the lights as well!"
Alun Jones, Truro BID Manager added: "Along with our partners, we’re delighted to be launching Christmas with the lights being switched-on, parade and markets for Festive Friday.
"We hope that locals, residents and visitors will continue to enjoy Truro’s Christmas Lights that will be enhancing the shopping experience, and lighting up Victoria Gardens throughout the festive season."
The Christmas Lights in Victoria Gardens, a new initiative this year, will be switched-on as part of Festive Friday from 7pm until 8pm and illuminated daily thereafter from 8am until 10am, and 2pm until 5pm.
On Wednesdays from 24 November until 22 December the lights will on from 8am until 10am and 2pm until 8pm.
The lights in Victoria Gardens have been made possible due to kind permission from Truro City Council who are also supporting Festive Friday by providing the stage.
The Mayor of Truro, Steven Webb, said: "We’re looking forward to seeing Victoria Gardens being lit up and all the other new Christmas lights across the city.
"We’re also really pleased to be supporting Festive Friday which kick-starts Truro’s Christmas events calendar.
"Truro City Council’s Visitor Information service, Visit Truro will have all the information you need about Truro’s festive events this year."
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