The people of Epsom turned out in force last night for the town's "best-ever" Christmas lights switch-on with fireworks, music and other festivities.
Attractions in the town centre included a giant snow globe, Santa’s grotto in the clock tower and a Ferris wheel in the marketplace in Epsom.
Elves from Santa Claus and the Magical Christmas Journey at the Epsom Playhouse and more elves on stilts sponsored by Elements nightclub got everybody into the festive mood.
A band performed a whole host of Christmas favourites and after the final song the Mayor of Epsom, Councillor Robert Foote and local resident Lara McNamme switched on the Christmas tree lights.
This was followed by a fireworks finale at 8pm.
One of the people in the crowd, Henna Patel, 43, said: "It’s brilliant! I come here every year and this year is the best. There’s so much for the kids to do"
Becky Rowan 22, who was handing out free hot chocolate and coffee at a Starbucks stall, said: "The atmosphere, I think, is amazing. It’s really nice, everyone has come out for it, it’s a lot busier than I thought it would be!"
Another woman, who moved here from America seven months ago, said: "It’s amazing, especially for families. There’s loads to do! This is fun. We are looking forward to Christmas."
Barcoda Party Band’s promoter Howard Colinese said: "We’re here today, obviously to play two sets, good entertainment for everyone so we’re going to be playing all the well-known tunes that you want to dance to and obviously some Christmas ones as well.
"A lot of the guys in the band play regularly in the West End and have done many, many tours and shows around the country."
The only incident during the evening was when a man, in his 60s, fell at 6.20pm near Starbucks at the Ashley Centre and dislocated his knee.
An ambulance and car with paramedics attended and took him to St Helier Hospital.
A spokesman for Epsom Council said today it would like to thank The Best of Epsom for sponsoring Santa's Grotto; Hayley Dyer for the Grotto decorations; its partners for Christmas in Epsom - The Ashley Centre for the amazing fireworks finale; What's On In Epsom for organising the Upper High Christmas Shopping Evening today and the Mayor's Charity Family Fun Race Day on Sunday 23 November and all the local businesses that are taking part in the festive weekend.
Christmas festivities continue over the coming days:
Today until 5pm - Italian Christmas market in the Market Place, Epsom
Today until 8pm - Festive Fun day in Upper High Street, Epsom
Saturday – Christmas lights switch-on in the Ashley Centre
Sunday - Mayor's Charities Family Fun Race Day, the Market Place, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council
Friday, November 28, 4pm – 7pm - Ewell Yule, Ewell High Street
Friday, December 5, 4pm - 7pm – Christmas lights switch-on the Broadway, Stoneleigh
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