YATE'S festive season kicked off on Saturday with a Christmas parade through the town's shopping centre.

Headed by Santa on his sleigh, the parade also featured stilt walkers, jugglers, pantomime characters and live music.

There was also a Family Fun Day, and Santa’s Grotto opened for visitors.
The climax of the day was the Christmas lights switch-on, which took place at 4pm. 

Santa’s Grotto will be open: at weekends for the remainder of November; from Fridays to Sundays for the first two weeks of December; continuously from December 14 onwards. The entry fee, which includes a gift, is £4 per child.