FESTIVE cheer will be spread across Saddleworth as the villages hold their tree switch-on events to welcome in the Christmas season.
LEES will light up bright with its tree switch-on event on Saturday, November 23 at 5pm.
All are welcome to join as special guest Santa performs the countdown and turns on the lights at the tree, just off the High Street at junction of Mellor Street and Elliot Street.
Then join him at Lees Library for refreshments afterwards.
A Christmas glow will come to GROTTON at their tree switch-on event on Sunday, November 24 from 5.30pm.
There will be carols, accompanied by Diggle Community Brass Band, at the village tree at the junction of Oldham Road and Grotton Hollow, which will be lit up at 6pm.
GREENFIELD will shine bright with festive cheer at the Lighting Up ceremony of the village Christmas tree on Saturday, November 30.
The event takes place at the bridleway on Chew Valley Road, starting at 6pm.
Well-known local businessman and personality Frank Rothwell will be guest of honour to perform the countdown and switch-on of the tree lights.
There will be Christmas carols and songs accompanied by Greenfield Silver Band.
All are welcome to continue the celebrations after with refreshments at Boarshurst Band Club.
In DELPH, there will be entertainment and stalls before a parade along High Street to switch on the Christmas tree lights on Saturday, November 30.
The festivities start at 4.30pm (with roads closed from 4pm-7pm) and will include a special visit from Santa, Delph Elf, hot food and mulled wine, and a fireworks finale at 6pm.
Also on Saturday, November 30 is the start of the Christmas season in DOBCROSS.
Get in the spirit with Brass Monkeys who will be playing from 5.30pm before the lights switch-on at 6pm.
Father Christmas will arrive just after the switch-on, bringing sweets and chocolates for the children and mulled wine for the adults, courtesy of DVC.
Santa will also be stopping off at DENSHAW for their lights switch-on on Sunday, December 1.
The event runs from 5pm to 7pm and will include music from Delph Band, mulled wine and mince pies, and the switch-on at 6pm.
LYDGATE will light up on Tuesday, December 3 with their switch-on event.
Villagers will come together at 6pm in The White Hart carpark, with the countdown and switch-on taking place at 6.15pm.
There will be Christmas Songs from St Anne’s School Singing Group, and delicious mulled wine, mince pies, and ginger biscuits available.
Father Christmas will be stopping by in the Pavilion. £5 to meet with him, with money raised going to more Christmas Lights for the village.
SPRINGHEAD will switch on their festive tree lights on Friday, December 6 at 6pm at the junction of Ashbrook Road and Oldham Road.
Special guest Santa will lead the proceedings and there will also be a choir from Springhead Infants and Primary School, band music, and refreshments.
In UPPERMILL, the Winter Wonderland, organised by Saddleworth Round Table, will bring a day of festive fun on Saturday, December 7.
At 2pm, the Santa Dash sets off and will see around 2.700 people running or walking through the village to complete the popular fundraising trail. The High Street will be closed from around 1.30pm for the Santa Dash.
Then at 4pm the Winter Wonderland starts at Uppermill Methodist Church with the tree lights switch-on, carols and blessing.
At 4.15pm, Father Christmas will process down the village High Street, pulled on his sleigh by Saddleworth Morris Men, to Saddleworth Museum.
In the museum car park there will be another switch-on and carols with Freizland Brass Band and Saddleworth Singers.
At around 4.30pm, the procession will continue from the museum car park to the King George V Playing Fields where there will be more carols with Friezland Brass Band and Saddleworth Singers on stage.
And the evening will be rounded off at around 5.20pm with a fireworks finale.
The High Street will be closed from 4pm for around an hour for the parade.
SCOUTHEAD AND AUSTERLANDS will come together for a Christmas event on Saturday, December 14.
From 3pm, Santa will stop by to meet the children and drop off some gifts. There is no charge but a small donation is requested for Oldham Foodbank.
Then the Christmas tree lights will be switched on outside The Three Crowns on Huddersfield Road at 5.30pm.
Welcome in the festive season with a DIGGLE Christmas Special on Saturday, December 14.
The festivities start at Kilngreen Church, which will be open from 2.45pm for guests to enjoy mulled wine, home bakes, tea and coffee.
Then there will be carol singing from 3pm to 3.45pm followed by a Christingle service 4pm to 4.45pm. Children can make their own Christingle in the church hall.
And then at 5.30pm the Diggle Village Lights switch-on will take place at The Diggle Hotel, when all are welcome to watch and join in with sing-along festive tunes.
Details of more Christmas switch-on events across Saddleworth will be published as they come available.
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