Christmas lights soon switched on

Here’s a selection of what’s coming up. It’s not an exhaustive list so keep your eyes on the look-out for details of more events in your local community and any announcements on social media.

• Christmas lights will be switched on in Clevedon on Thursday 23 November. The action starts in Queens Square from 5.30pm.
• Dazzling lights can also be seen during the Clevedon Christmas Illuminations Evening, taking place in the Hill Road, Alexandra Road and the Bellevue Road area of town on Friday 24 November. There will also be a range of take-away food offerings and mulled wine and cider on offer.
• A mesmerising light display can be seen when Clevedon Pier switches on its festive lights, from 5pm to 7pm on Friday 24 November. Free entry, and the Glass Box restaurant will be open.
• Portishead High Street will be illuminated when the town’s festive lights are switched on, on Monday 27 November. The event starts at 6.15pm and the lights will be switched on at 6.45pm.
• The Lipinski Band will provide the musical entertainment at the Sovereign, in Weston-super-Mare, when its own Christmas tree lights are switched on, from 5pm on Thursday 30 November. There will also be an Amazing Elf Workshop and Santa’s Grotto, and the shops will stay open until 8pm.
• Weston-super-Mare’s lights switch-on will be an all-day affair on Saturday 2 December. During the day, pick up local food and drink from the eat:Festival, taking place from 10am in the Italian Gardens and Winter Gardens. Free parking is available in the Sovereign from 3pm. The switch-on will be held on the stage by the Christmas tree at the Italian Gardens, or under the canopy of the Sovereign if it’s raining. Entertainment from the performers of the Blakehay Theatre panto, Weston Brass and choir groups.
• Fun for all the family can be enjoyed at the annual Light up the Lake, at Marine Lake in Clevedon on Saturday 2 December. Join the procession with the Samba band from 4.30pm from Clevedon Pier to the lake, where there will be music, fire dancers and twinkling lights on the lake.

Christmas markets

• Support small businesses showcasing their arts, crafts and handmade goodies at Clevedon’s Christmas Market this weekend. Visit the Princes Hall from 10am to 3pm on Sunday (19 November). The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who will also make special appearances throughout the day.
• More than 50 stallholders will be selling their gifts, crafts, clothing, food and drink during the Christmas Shopping Market Night, at the Tropicana, in Weston-super-Mare, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm on Friday 24 November.
• Due to the popularity of last year’s market, this year Weston Museum is hosting a Christmas Market Weekend, on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December. Free entry, open from 10am to 3pm each day.
• Popular Bleadon Christmas Market is back, with more than 50 festive stalls, raffle and refreshments at three halls in the heart of the village. From 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 2 December. Please park carefully in the village and walk or wheel.
• Hutton Village Hall is home to the village’s Christmas Fair, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 2 December, with lots of stalls and festive entertainment.
• Meet Santa at Portishead’s Christmas Market, at Gordano School, from 10am to 3pm, on Saturday 2 December.
• Sip hot festive drinks, enjoy an afternoon of live music and browse more than 20 stalls selling handmade gifts and treats at a Vintage Christmas Market, inside St Paul’s Church, in Walliscote Road, Weston-super-Mare. Visit from 3pm to 6pm on Saturday 2 December. Free entry.
• Support crafters and local small businesses at the Christmas Craft Fayre, at Worle Community Centre, from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 3 December. £1 entry for over 16s, which includes entry to a draw.
• The organises of Clevedon Sunday Market are hosting a special Winter Market edition on Thursday 7 December. Visit Hill Road, Alexandra Road and the Six Ways area from 6pm to 9pm for home-made gifts, food, drink and homewares.
• Set your taste buds alight at the Street Food Christmas Special at the Tropicana on Weston’s seafront on Friday 8 December. The street food buffet, from 7.30pm to 2am, features live music and a DJ.
• Get your last minute Christmas gifts and support more than 20 local businesses at the Christmas Market in Kewstoke Village Hall, from 10.30am to 1.30pm on Sunday 10 December.
• Pick up a treat in Portishead during the Posset Christmas Market, from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday 10 December. The event, previously known as the Victorian Evening and Craft Fayre, is one of Portishead’s biggest, with a range of stalls and fun fair.