Crowds wrapped up warm to lap up the festive atmosphere as the Christmas lights were switched on in Barnard Castle.
The town centre was lit up by twinkling lights on Friday (November 29) evening as the annual event returned - with families flocking to enjoy food stalls, a snowglobe, and a choir.
At the push of a button, the town’s Christmas tree - which was donated by Raby Castle, Park and Gardens - was lit up against the backdrop of The Methodist Church at 6.30pm.
Fantastic pictures from the evening show beaming adults and children watching from Lower Galgate as the lights were turned on, with the help of Mayor Paul Ing, Consort William Atkinson, and town crier Ian Kirkbride.
The "fabulous" event was praised online, with one attendee saying: "The tree looks stunning. Thank you Barnard Castle Christmas Lights and all involved. Fab evening."
Take a look at some of the pictures from the festive event below.
Recommended reading:
- Work underway on new boutique cinema in Middlesbrough
- Bishop Auckland Christmas Town: 'Fabulous' event praised
- Pet Shop Boys star 'very sad' over JG Windows closure
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.
The event was free to attend - with the church also hosting a grotto and the castle walls being decorated with a light exhibition and lanterns.
There was also a parade from Star Yard, Horsemarket, and onto Scar Top, which concluded at the castle.
The event was once again delivered by independent community group Barnard Castle Christmas Lights, as it has done since 2018.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here