BOLTON must have been good this year, because Christmas 2018 is set to be the biggest and best yet.

Families can look forward to a December full of festive fun, with dozens of Christmas events transforming the town into a winter wonderland.

Children across the town are already keeping a watchful eye on their calendars as they count down the days to Christmas morning.

But there's no need to wait that long to get into the Christmas spirit.

The Christmas fun kicks off with Coronation Street actor Alan Halsall (who plays lovable Tyrone) switching on the town’s Christmas lights on Thursday, November 22.

The big Christmas lights switch-on show, sponsored by Market Place Shopping Centre, will begin at 5pm and feature a variety of musical acts before the Weatherfield favourite pushes the button at 7pm.

Corrie's Tyrone will have some special help when he switches on the lights, when he's joined on stage by the cast of this year’s pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

A thrilling fireworks finale will light up the town hall and mark the official start to Bolton's Christmas season.

But that's just the start of Bolton's Christmas festivities.

The epic Winter Festival will return to the town centre on Saturday, December 8 and will run until every day until Sunday, January 6 (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

The highlight of the festive calendar, the Winter Festival will see the town centre brimming with Yuletide entertainment and attractions.

The festival's spirit of Christmas will work its magic in Victoria Square with the return of the ice rink, where nearly 200 people can strap on their skates.

The ice rink will be open every day until Sunday, January 6 (except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Ice rink prices start at £4 for children, £7.50 for adults and £21 for a family ticket.

And just to make sure all the little boys and girls (and mums and dads!) are on their best behaviour, Father Christmas himself will return to his Bolton holiday home in the Albert Halls.

Children can meet Santa in his magical grotto from Saturday, December 8.

For just £4 a visit, lucky children will receive a festive activity pack including a colouring book, stickers, foam animal puzzle and colouring pencils to take home.

Tickets go on sale today (Saturday, November 3), and you can order yours at www.boltonwinterfestival.com

After their special guest appearance at the big switch-on, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will return to the stage for this this year's pantomime at the Albert Halls.

Starring TV's Michael Starke (Brookside, Benidorm) and X-Factor finalist Sam Callahan, the pantomime classic will have families giggling away with daily performances from December 1 to 30.

The Albert Halls will also host the Mayor’s Christmas Fair, which will coincide with the opening day of the Winter Festival (December 8).

The halls will be bursting with stalls selling unique gifts, crafts and sweet treats. It will also be a chance for lucky families in Bolton to help those less fortunate by supporting the Mayor’s charities.

Dozens of stalls will be open from 10am to 2pm.

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “Starting with the lights switch-on and continuing with the Winter Festival, there really will be something for everyone this year.

“With such a packed schedule of events, everything is ready for a magical festive season. It’s all part of Christmas in Bolton.”

There will also be no need to worry about parking, with free weekend and bank holiday parking across the town centre and free parking at Topp Way, Deane Road and The Octagon car parks after 3pm on weekdays, from November 22 to January 3.