YATE has started the Christmas countdown with a family fun day packed with activities and festive cheer.

The event on Saturday (November 14) at Yate Shopping Centre was a change from the usual celebrity lights switch on and was targeted at families.

Shoppers were able to enjoy tribute acts to Michael Buble, Elton John and Frank Sinatra while children took part in craft activities and made Christmas gifts to take home. There was also face painting and the shopping centre’s grotto was open giving youngsters the chance to meet Father Christmas.

Town crier Trevor Heeps was on hand to ring out some festive goodwill and human Christmas characters including bells, candy canes, Father Christmas and The Snowman walked around the centre entertaining the crowds.

Disney favourites Anna, Elsa and Olaf, from hit film Frozen, were also meeting and greeting children throughout the day before Father Christmas turned on the lights in the afternoon.

Yate Shopping Centre marketing manager Tracey King said the event was a great success.

“We don’t have exact numbers yet but it was steady all day,” she said.

“Feedback from traders said it was really lovely and a more relaxed atmosphere than the usual celebrity switch on.

“Normally we have a parade but this time the characters just walked around the centre so people could get closer and actually meet them.”

She added: “Our customers were telling us the celebrity switch on was a bit late for their children so we have changed the format and made it for families.

“If we do go back to a celebrity switch on next year we will probably do two events and keep one for families.”

The grotto at Yate Shopping Centre is open from Friday, November 20 to Christmas Eve.