CANDLELIT Dartmouth is back next month with a weekend of festive fun and Christmas fare.

Now celebrating its 10th successful year, the festival will once again light up Dartmouth with its magical mix of music, mulled wine, late night markets and much more on Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26.

Highlights of the festival are Friday’s official switch-on of the town’s Christmas lights and Santa’s traditional splash down in the Boatfloat, followed by Saturday’s Candlelit lantern procession through Dartmouth’s historic streets, when hundreds of willow and tissue lanterns are created by children and families especially for the procession.

Throughout the festive weekend, the now traditional Christmas markets will be open for business on both days in Royal Avenue Gardens and, on Saturday, in the Old Market Square, with a veritable host of craft stalls, all chockablock full of Yuletide gift ideas and seasonal fare, not to mention the Best Dressed Christmas Dogs Show in Royal Avenue Gardens

Santa will be in his grotto at the Flavel, where you’ll also find more Candlelit Kids’ workshops, creating Christmas gifts and decorations for all the family.

Meanwhile, to get you in the Christmas spirit there will be late-night shopping, free street entertainment, wining and dining and live music throughout the weekend from well known local musicians.

Lantern workshops are open to all and will be held tomorrow at St Clement’s Church; on Saturday, October 22, at Blackawton Village Hall; and on Saturday and Sunday, November 19 and 20, at Dartmouth Academy.

The workshops will run between 10am and 4pm and you should allow two to three hours to create a lantern. Children under nine must be accompanied by a responsible adult.