The date for the great Christmas lights switch-on has been set and preparations are already in full swing.

The event always draws crowds from the town and further afield to enjoy the parade, live music and fireworks, as well as the highlight – the pantomime horse race.

This year the festive period in Holt will kick off on Friday, November 17, with the party starting at 6pm.

There will be live music in front of the War Memorial on Market Place to get things started, followed by thousands of twinkling lights being turned on.

Nigel Hadlow, from Love Holt, co-ordinators of the event, said: “This Christmas, Holt is delivering Christmas lights, a switch-on event, a town-wide marketing campaign, a Christmas window competition, two Christmas-themed Sunday markets and more because we know how important this time of year is for businesses and the community.

“Holt’s businesses have shown extraordinary resilience over the past three years to weather the pandemic, the impact of Brexit and now the inflation and cost-of-living crisis.

“Given all the uncertainty businesses and their staff still face, we want to provide as much support and sparkle as possible this year, not least because Christmas is such a crucial time for so many of our shops, restaurants, charities, pubs, cafés and attractions.

“We are looking forward to seeing the town begin to sparkle on November 17 to mark the start of the festive season.”

Full details of the event will be released nearer the time.