Christmas well and truly begins in Welshpool this weekend, with both the Christmas lights switch on and Winter Festival taking place.

The town’s Christmas lights will be illuminated on Friday, December 6.

The Christmas fancy dress competition judging will start from outside the Tourist Information Centre at 6.30pm.

This will lead to the procession to the Town Hall, with the arrival of Father Christmas.

The winner of the fancy-dress competition will switch on the Christmas lights with Father Christmas.

Santa’s Grotto will be open from approximately 7pm with free entry and a small gift for every child. The indoor market will be open.

The Welshpool Winter Festival is on Saturday, December 7.

From 9am to 4pm there will be outdoor market stalls, indoor market open and craft stalls in the Assembly Room. There is entertainment on throughout the day in the Assembly room and located around town.

A petting zoo will be open in Puzzle Square.

Santa’s Grotto will be open from 10am and Lizzie the Elf storyteller at noon and 2pm in the Corn Exchange, Welshpool Town Hall.

n For more information contact Welshpool Town Council Office on 01938 553142.

There's a whole host of other events taking place in Welshpool on the weekend.

Illuminated Gardens at Powis Castle

Brighten up your dark winter nights with a stroll around the spectacularly lit garden, terraces and courtyard of Powis Castle.

A spokesperson said: "After exploring our illuminated garden step back in time and experience a 1940s Christmas in the castle’s ornate state rooms, warm up with a hot drink and light snack in the restaurant or do a little Christmas shopping in the Courtyard Shop."

Booking is not needed. The gardens will be illuminated on:

Friday, December 6, to Sunday, December 8 from 5pm to 9pm

Friday, December 13, from 5pm to 9pm

Friday, December 20, to Sunday, December 22, from 5pm to 9pm.

Charity Christmas Concert

Tickets for the Celebration of All Things Christmas concert to be held at the Methodist Church Welshpool on Saturday, December 7, are selling well with a number of organisations selling them to raise funds reporting that they have almost sold all of their share.

Among the organisations benefitting from the concert are Parkinsons, Severn Hospice, Inspire Cancer group, Darby & Joan, Visually Impaired Club, Lingen Davies, and the Veterans Orthopeadic Appeal at Gobowen Hospital.

Tickets can be purchased from the following businesses: Alexanders, Severn Hospice Shop, Flaunt It, Welshpool Jewellers and Stepchange Personel. They are also available from the following individuals: Pat Jones, Chris Jerman, Liz Gannon, Anne Smedley and Sheila Lovett.

The concert will feature Of One Accord mixed choir, Porthywaen Band and guest artists.

Tree Festival in Forden

A Christmas Tree Festival is taking place at St Michaels Church in Forden. Visitors can see the display of around 60 decorated Christmas trees on Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, from 10am to 4pm, and on Monday, December 9, from 2pm to 6pm.

A carol service will also take place on 4pm on Sunday, December 8.

"The trees a sight to behold," a spokesperson said.

Entry is free. Tea, coffee and cake available.

Choral Concert

Welshpool Choral Society, under their new director Lynne Beck, will be presenting 'A Celebration of Christmas' programme, including carols for all, for their annual concert which takes place in the Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Sunday, December 8.

Tickets are £7, to include seasonal refreshments at the close, and are available from choir members, or phone 01938 850514.

Profit will be divided between Air Ambulance and choir funds.