CHRISTMAS is well and truly on its way and town centres across the county are gearing up for the big festive switch on.

Thousands of people are expected to turn out to watch their town or Oxford’s city centre officially mark the countdown to Christmas by switching on their festive lights.

First off the mark is Didcot, which will see its lights turned on as part of a Christmas street fair, on Thursday, November 24.

Next it’s Witney, where schoolgirl Catherine Newitt, 10, who has been crowned the Witney princess, will press the button on Friday, November 25. There will be live music, ice sculptures, a pig roast and stalls, from 5pm until 8.30pm.

Woodstock will light up on Saturday, November 26.

The next day Emmerdale bad boy Cain Dingle, actor Jeff Hordley, will help switch on Banbury’s lights.

Entertainment starts at 2pm, with the switch-on at 5.30pm followed by a firework finale.

Kidlington’s lights will beam from Tuesday, November 29.

Bicester follows on Thursday, December 1. The town council held a children’s drawing competition and the lucky winner will help mayor Rose Stratford light up the town.

Sheep Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with hot chestnuts, fairground rides, Santa on his sleigh, stalls and snow from a snow machine.

There will also be on-stage entertainment from choirs and local school children.

Also on December 1, Abingdon residents can enjoy a Christmas extravaganza, including late-night shopping. The theme is kings and queens, and the event will include a parade and fireworks. MP Nicola Blackwood will switch on the lights.

On Friday, December 2, Oxford city’s event will take place in St Giles for the first time.

A host of activities are lined up, with a children’s lantern procession taking on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas.

About 400 people are expected to take part in the procession, which leaves the Old Fire Station in Gloucester Green, at 6.15pm. The lights will be switched on in St Giles at about 6.30pm.

Wantage and Thame will also see their respective Christmas lights lit up on the same day, with Templars Square, Cowley, and Faringdon, the final two towns to welcome their lights on Saturday, December 3.

Elise Benjamin, Oxford’s Lord Mayor, said: “Turning on the Christmas lights in Oxford marks the run-up to Christmas and also a celebration of winter.

“It’s an opportunity to bring people out and it’s good to see so many members of the community on the streets of Oxford.”