EXPECT traditional markets, late-night shopping, live entertainment and festive celebrations for all ages when Christmas kicks off in Truro on Friday, November 21.

At the heart of the festivities is Truro Christmas Market, running from November 21 to December 24 on Lemon Quay. Visitors can browse traditional wooden cabins filled with local crafts, seasonal treats and gifts from Cornish artisans.

The festive cheer spreads across the city with the Boscawen Street Christmas Markets every Wednesday and Saturday from November 22 to December 20, with an additional market on Monday, December 22.

Wednesday, November 26 sees the Father Christmas Parade and Truro’s first late-night shopping evening. Many stores will open until 9pm on Wednesdays until December 17, plus an extra evening on Monday, December 22.

Shoppers can enjoy a mix of high street favourites and independent shops, as well as two vibrant indoor markets: Lemon Street Market and the Pannier Market (open all year round). Truro Park & Ride will operate extended services until 9.30pm on all late-night shopping evenings.

From December 10, Father Christmas will welcome visitors to his festive grotto at the Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery.

To round off the festive season, Truro will host two New Year’s Eve fireworks displays, at 7:30pm and midnight, on Wednesday, December 31. Both are free to attend and best viewed from Lemon Quay.

Visit Truro, a service provided by Truro City Council, will work in partnership with Great Western Railway (GWR) and the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, to encourage daytrippers to visit the city by train.

Truro Business Improvement District is funding and overseeing the city centre Christmas lights, which are currently being installed by Event Power Engineering Ltd. There will be no dedicated switch-on event; lights will come on automatically on Saturday, November 22.

Lights in Boscawen Street will go up after the completion of roadworks and Remembrance Sunday.