Sean Lynch from Mullingar Arts Centre with Dasher, Prancer and Santa at the switch-on of the Christmas lights in Mullingar last year - characters from the arts centre panto will be guests at this year's switch-on event, this coming Friday, November 22.

Mullingar Christmas lights switch-on this week

Don't forget - free parking in council car parks this Friday

The Mullingar Christmas Lights Committee, in conjunction with Mullingar Chamber of Commerce, have scheduled the official switch-on of the Christmas lights for this Friday, November 22, between 5 and 6pm at the Market Square.

Mullingar Arts Centre have arranged for Santa to perform the official switch-on, and there will be some festive guest characters to add to the atmosphere of the evening.

Midlands 103 will also be present, broadcasting live from the square

Two new Christmas trees, sponsored by The National Science Park, will be part of this year’s decorations – they won’t however, arrive on time for Friday; they have been delayed and are expected between November 26 and 28. Once they arrive, one tree will be at the Market Square, and the other at Dominick Square.