CREWE'S Christmas lights will be switched on a week tomorrow (Friday, November 26) to herald the launch of an illuminated arts trail around town.

The traditional switch on and Lumen lights show have been scaled down this year after being cancelled completely because of Covid in 2020.

But Crewe Town Council has planned a series of events to give the town centre a festive feel, while it has arranged with Cheshire East Council to provide free parking at all borough council-run car parks on the four Saturdays up to Christmas - November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18 (from 10am).

While there will be no public event to mark the lights switch on the council plans on releasing a video online at 8pm on the night before (November 25) the lights go live. It has been made with the help of students from Staffordshire University's Film and Media Department and will present a humorous take on a Christmas Light switch on.

Lumen Lite, a self-guided illuminated arts trail which the council has worked on with Blackpool Illuminations, will start at 5pm the next day.

People will be invited to download a trail map before setting off on a journey of discovery around town where they can meet moon folk, seek out astronauts and even encounter a TARDIS which all feature along the lights trail.

As well as the light shows there will be festive street performers, live music, storytelling and craft activities.

Themed Crewe Christmas Saturdays running between midday and 4pm on the four dates up to Christmas will showcase festive characters such as the Christmas Nutkins, Musical Ruth and the Sugar Plump Fairies in the town centre.

There will also be a poetry takeaway and craft activities with Minerva Arts, as well as a Drag Queen Story Hour.

Chair of Crewe Town Council's marketing and events committee, Cllr Joe Cosby, said: "It's fantastic to be able to bring festive activity back to the streets of Crewe town centre after the pandemic halted our plans in 2020.

"We are doing things a little differently this year and our festive programme is varied. There's something for everyone with our Crewe Christmas Saturdays, Crewe Christmas Lights, the annual Tree of Light Service and the Lumen Lite Illuminated Arts Trail.

"We have worked alongside partners including the Lyceum, The Market Hall, Crewe Library and The Market Centre to ensure that Crewe has a fabulous festive programme and lots of reasons to visit the town centre."