THE Christmas lights in Douglas will be switched on this evening (Thursday).

Douglas Borough Council has arranged a number of activities to coincide with the festive lighting being switched on at Douglas Town Hall at 7pm.

Douglas Town Band will be playing carols and seasonal music from 6.15pm and at 6.30pm Santa's Grotto will be opened in the Ridgeway Street garden area. At 6.45pm there will also be guest appearances by cast members from this year's pantomime Dick Whittington.

A lantern parade, organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council, will then form in Nelson Street and make its way through the centre of the town before finishing at the Villa Marina.

There will also be a snow machine in operation to create that Christmassy feeling. 

Tonight also marks the first night of late night Christmas shopping.

Council Leader Councillor David Christian said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Celton Manx to create a truly festive family event.

"Christmas is a crucial time for Douglas traders and the Council, in association with the private sector, is committed to offering its fullest support to a spectacle that will attract visitors to the town and encourage people to shop locally."

Ridgeway Street between Lord Street and Victoria Street will be closed between 6pm and 10pm and there will be no parking on the east side of Ridgeway Street between Lord Street and Athol Street from 10am to 10pm.

There will be free parking in Douglas Borough Council car parks at the Bottleneck and Shaw's Brow on Thursday evenings up until Christmas from 5pm onwards and at the weekends up to December 25.

There will also be free parking on designated sections of the promenade walkway from 9.30am to 9pm each day until January 3.

The Douglas Christmas lights switch on is sponsored by Celton Manx.