Dartmoor towns prepare to light up as Christmas celebrations approach
Residents and visitors can look forward to a series of Christmas celebrations across Dartmoor, with local organisers confirming when lights will be switched on and what else is planned
Towns and villages across Dartmoor will begin switching on their Christmas lights next week, with local councils and business groups confirming dates for this year's festive events.
This year’s celebrations get underway in Ivybridge on Friday, November 27.
Ivybridge Town Council has confirmed a revised layout for this year's festival, with the outdoor Christmas market and Rotary Santa Sleigh relocating to Erme Court Car Park, beside the town's new Christmas tree.
Lights along Fore Street will be switched on at 6pm, alongside late-night shopping and entertainment across the town centre.
Announcing the changes, Ivybridge Town Council said: "We've refreshed the event layout to create an even better experience for visitors, with more space, more entertainment and plenty to explore throughout the town."
Three moorland communities will hold their switch-on events the following day, Saturday, November 28.
In Moretonhampstead, a Christmas market will run in The Square from 2pm to 6pm, with the lights switched on at 5.30pm.
Moretonhampstead Parish Council confirmed that Father Christmas will attend, while Moretonhampstead Primary School Choir is due to perform at 5.45pm.
In Bovey Tracey, the Carnival Committee is organising a Christmas market and lights switch-on on Fore Street, with festivities running from 2pm to 6pm.
Road closures in the town centre will be in place from midday until 9pm.
In South Brent, the village lights ceremony will take place outside the Village Shop between 5.30pm and 6.30pm.
Further events will follow during the first week of December.
On Thursday, December 3, Okehampton Business Improvement District (BID) will host its annual Edwardian Evening from 5pm to 8pm, with the Christmas lights switched on at 6.30pm.
Organisers described the free event as "a night of music, surprises and shared moments around every corner".
The following evening, Friday, December 4, Tavistock BID will stage its Dickensian Evening from 5.30pm to 9pm.
According to the BID, proceedings will begin with a lantern parade at 5.30pm, followed by the lights switch-on at 5.45pm. Craft stalls, choirs and late-night shopping will also feature.
Smaller parish events will round off the calendar, including Walkhampton's village lights switch-on outside The Walkhampton Inn from 5pm on Saturday, December 5, and Chagford's afternoon celebrations, leading up to a 5.30pm switch-on.