THE magic of Christmas comes to Dartmouth this weekend with the town’s big Candlelit parade of light and yuletide fun.

Gifts and Christmas fare will be aplenty at market stalls in Royal Avenue Gardens and on the Quay today with performances in the Bandstand from 4pm from academy students and carols singing around the Christmas tree with the Britannia Choral Society and musicians from the BRNC Volunteer Band.

Santa will arrive by boat at the Boatfloat at 6pm shortly after the switch on of the Christmas lights in Royal Avenue Gardens, where he will meet children and there will be live music until 8pm.

More Christmas crafters will be in the Old Market from 10am to 4pm on Saturday in addition to the other town centre locations.

The Flavel is staging workshops, a puppet show, face painting and Santa will be in his grotto from 10am to 3pm.

Dartmouth Preschool will be performing in front of the bandstand at 10.45am and there will be other street entertainment during the day, including the best-dressed Christmas dog competition at 2pm.

An Advent singing workshop takes place at St Saviour’s Church from 4pm-5pm, when crowds will start to gather in the Old Market Square for the lantern procession.

The parade will set off at 5.30pm, led by the Blackawton Morris Dancers and featuring the Jumping Out jazz band.

The display of colourful lanterns will arrive back in Royal Avenue Gardens for a party finale around 6pm when there will be music and merriment all round.

For full details, visit: http://candlelitdartmouth.co.uk