Christmas celebrations will launch in Truro next week, when Festive Friday returns on November 24 for a third year.  

As well as the Christmas lights switch-on, Festive Friday includes other events to celebrate the start of the festive season. 

From 3pm Pirate FM’s Johnny Cowling and Lucy Start will be broadcasting out and about in Truro, building up to the much-anticipated lights switch-on at 7pm, when they will be joined by cast members from Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas show Peter Pan, the mayor of Truro, Truro BID representatives and others.  

From 4.45pm, on-stage celebrations organised by the Hall for Cornwall will feature cast members of Peter Pan, including Edward Rowe (aka Kernow King), the UPG Team Emergent Ensemble and local buskers. Youth talent will also be performing, in the shape of Cornwall Dance School, Jason Thomas Performing Arts, Flanagan’s School of Irish dance and Hall for Cornwall Youth.   

Following the switch-on, there will be live celebratory music on the stage until 9pm from Cornish based musicians the Stone Roots and the Three Daft Monkeys. 

The BIG Festive Market, hosted by Cornwall Shop Small and Truro Farmers’ Market will be on Lemon Quay all day until 9pm, and back the following day. More than 70 local traders will offer seasonal gifts including contemporary crafts, art and design, home and lifestyle wares, and local food and drink. 

Many of Truro’s shop windows will be decorated with Christmas reindeer lights from Festive Friday onwards.  

Truro’s City Centre Christmas Lights are funded and installed by Truro Businesses Improvement District (BID) each year via levy contributions from around 375 Truro businesses. 

Alun Jones, Truro BID manager said: “Along with our partners, we’re delighted to be bringing Festive Friday back to Truro for the third year to mark the start of Christmas. With so much going on, security staff and our local police will be on hand to help at the event.” 

A spectacular illuminated model of Truro Cathedral will return to Trafalgar Roundabout for its fourth festive season, to be switched-on daily from Festive Friday.  

New for this year, Truro BID will be bringing six large and colourful Christmas lights into the city. Previously situated at Victoria Gardens, the lights will be relocated to the city centre and illuminated from Festive Friday.  

Celebrations in Truro will continue with the Father Christmas Parade on Wednesday, November 29 at 6.30pm - Truro’s first Wednesday Late Night Shopping evening. 

For more details on Truro’s festive events, go to www.visittruro.org.uk and follow @visittruro on Facebook and Instagram