Loud explosions echoed around the towers of Basingstoke as fireworks lit up the sky to mark the start of the Christmas season.
On Friday, Festival Place and the new-look Malls shopping centre welcomed thousands of shoppers at the Christmas lights switch-on.
In Festival Place, a five-hour programme of entertainment, singing and festive fun was hosted by wine guru Olly Smith.
And for the youngsters, Alvin and the Chipmunks swapped Hollywood for the town to turn on the festive lights.
Festival Place director Steven Connolly said: “This event kicks off our Christmas celebrations and we are absolutely delighted with the attendance.”
After the fireworks, guitarist Fil Straughan, and 12-year-old Festival Factor winner Maria Christina Ricafort entertained the crowd with festive songs.
The event marked the first in a series of Christmas celebrations being held across the borough.
Tadley will turn on its Christmas tree lights tomorrow (Friday) at 6pm. The town will host a Christmas market in the Ambrose Allen Centre on Franklin Avenue.
This will be followed by carols by Burnham Copse School pupils, the Tadley Band, the Hurst Singers and Tadley Singers.
And from 7pm, TV stars Peter Hillier from CBeebies and Ben-Ryan Davies from BBC 1’s Waterloo Road will perform the honours by switching on the tree lights.
In Hook, revellers will be hoping for good weather for the village’s annual Christmas Cracker on December 3.
Last year, the event had to be scrapped due to snow and freezing conditions.
The Christmas Cracker will feature performances by the Hook Eagle Morris Men and Old Basing Marching Band.
In Odiham, the parish council has had to cancel its annual Christmas Extravaganza due to a councillor’s serious illness.
But this Saturday, Odiham will host a community evening with RAF Odiham’s Group Captain turning on the Christmas tree lights.
