The festive period is really upon us, as Comet country towns get set to switch their Christmas lights on.

On Friday, the lights in Hitchin will be switched on by star of this year’s ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Gabz Gardiner, after she has treated the audience to a live performance at about 6.30pm.

The entertainment will start from 2.30pm, with music, stalls and children’s entertainment. The Christmas Belles will perform at 5.30pm and the evening will end with a performance by Genie and the Jivebombers.

Also on Friday, Letchworth GC will have its festive lights switched on. The fun will take place between 4pm and 7pm in Leys Square, with entertainment from school choirs, Rapsodini, Mr Speaker, and the Fabulous Lounge Swingers. Santa will also be making an appearance, there will be carols from Letchworth’s Salvation Army Band, and fireworks.

For a full programme, visit www.shopletchworth.com or pick one up from The Tourist Information Centre on Station Road in Letchworth GC.

The Christmas lights switch-on in Baldock will take place on Saturday. While there is no official switch-on event for this, next Saturday will see the return of the children’s ice rink to the High Street. Hourly skate sessions must be booked in advance at www.baldocktown.co.uk or at the m-viron phone shop on Whitehorse Street in Baldock and cost £4.

Stevenage’s Christmas lights switch-on is set to take place on Thursday, November 28, from 4pm, when there will be a funfair, face painting and an appearance from Santa. There will be performances from Sophie Khoury, The Enlights, Reese Robinson and Roxy Searle. The cast of this year’s pantomine at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Cinderella, will also be making an appearance.

Star of BBC One’s The Voice, Nadeem Leigh, and ITV1’S Britain’s Got Talent, Gabz Gardiner, will take to the stage before the switch-on at 6.30pm, followed by a fireworks display.