Countdown to a Christmas cracker

REINDEER, fireworks and Santa are preparing to light up Christmas in Oldham.

Santa will arrive in the town centre at 12.45pm with real reindeers on November 9 in a colourful parade that will feature both Christmas characters and members of the cast of the Coliseum’s pantomime “Jack and the Beanstalk” and marching bands.

Oldham’s Christmas lights switch-on is on November 17, with a stage show from 4.45pm, followed by the big switch on and a fireworks display. There will be entertainment and a street market taking place throughout the day.

Brass Monkeys - new for 2013 - is on December 7; the town centre will be filled with the sound of brass bands.

The weekend of December 14 and 15 is Winter Wonderland Weekend, which will have a 50ft inflatable snowman for kids to bounce around on!

December 21 and 22 is a Victorian Christmas weekend, with a carousel, traditional games and Dickensian characters.

Tommyfield Market Hall will be open on the last Sunday (December 22) before Christmas.

Shoppers will get up to three hours of free parking on all town centre council car parks at weekends and 30 minutes on-street parking, seven days a week.

An events guide with full listings is available to pick up in stores. Information about all of the events can also be found at www.visitoldham.com.