THE LIGHTS will go on in Newlyn, St Just, Perranuthnoe and Mousehole this weekend in a festive spectacle that draws thousands of visitors to west Penwith.
Life-saving dog Bilbo and his owner Steve Jamieson will be switching on the display in Newlyn on Friday at 7pm near the harbour offices.
And kids can see Santa arrive in the port earlier that day when his sleigh pulls up at the Fishermen's Mission at 5pm. The Mission on the South Pier will be hosting a Christmas party complete with cart rides, face-painting and puppet performances from the Squashbox Theatre.
Tea, coffee and mince pies will all be free but donations to support the harbour lights are welcome.
Also on Friday, mayor David Stevens will be illuminating St Just at 7.30pm when he lights up the town's tree in Market Square.
The Pendeen Silver Band will be playing some festive tunes along with local operatic groups.
In Perranuthnoe the Christmas tree lights also go on tomorrow from 6pm at the Lynfield Craft Centre.
The last – and arguably the best set – of Christmas lights to be turned on are those in Mousehole, where the switch will be thrown this Saturday at 7.30pm.
Once the village's internationally renowned display of lights has been turned on by Angela Keates and her family there will be community singing in the Carolaire service, led by Mousehole Male Voice Choir and Pendeen Silver Band at the entrance to the North Quay.
However, those wishing to enjoy the switch-on should note that all roads into Mousehole will be closed on Saturday from 5pm to 9pm.
To gain access to the village, there will be a park-and-ride bus scheme running approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from Penzance Bus Station.
The bus will be picking up passengers en route at St Anthony Gardens (Jubilee Pool), Wherrytown, the Seamen's Mission, Newlyn, and the Red Lion, Newlyn.
Diana Burroughs, the secretary of the Lights Committee since 1979, said: "This is the 47th year of the Christmas lights and they are funded mostly by donations from the general public.
"There will be official collectors by the harbour on most evenings (the last night is January 3) with proceeds helping to fund the Christmas lights for 2011.
"The lights will also feature in the Christmas edition of ITV's Countrywise to be shown at 4.55pm on Christmas Eve," she added.
The Mousehole choir will be holding a festive concert at Paul Church on Tuesday, December 21.
The renowned ensemble will be raising funds for Help For Heroes and the Children's Hospice South West's Precious Lives Appeal, and the Penzance Orpheus Ladies Choir will be joining them for the Christmas performance, which starts at 7.30pm.
Admission is £5 and tickets are available from the King's Arms in Paul.
Mousehole News and Stores will also be selling tickets, though some will also be available on the door.
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN