There will be Santa, snow and Cinderella in Douglas this evening (Thursday).

The capital's Christmas lights will be switched on by Mayor Ritchie McNicholl at 7pm, but the festivities will begin an hour earlier with Santa arriving in his grotto in Ridgeway Street, next to the town hall.

There will be seasonal music from Douglas Town Band and a sneak preview of this year's pantomime, with guest appearances by cast members of 'Cinderella'.

After the big switch-on, a lantern parade organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council will set off from King Street and make its way through the centre of town to the Villa Marina Gardens.

The section of Ridgeway Street between Lord Street and Victoria Street will be closed to between 6pm and 10pm.

Late night shopping in Douglas starts this evening and there will be free parking in Douglas Borough Council's car parks at the Bottleneck, Lord Street and Shaw’s Brow (level 3) from 5pm.