Celebrities, live music, funfair attractions and donkey rides are expected to bring thousands of people to parties at Halifax Piece Hall and Thornton Square in Brighouse, while a carol service will mark the Hebden Bridge switch-on.

Natalie Anderson – nurse Stella Davenport in ITV's The Royal – will be at both the Halifax and Brighouse parties and Nikk Mager, the Greetland singer who starred in this year's X Factor, will perform at the Piece Hall. Assistant town centre manager Emma Housman said: "This will kick off Christmas in Calderdale in true style."

The Halifax celebrations will begin at 10.45am on Saturday November 22 when the Piece Hall's winter ice rink is officially opened.

Both Natalie, who will release her debut single later this year, and Nikk will perform live. Local bands may also be invited and the cast of the Victoria Theatre's pantomime will put in an appearance.

At 4.30pm, Santa Claus will switch the lights on.

Miss Housman said: "We had 3,500 turn out for the celebrations last year and we're hoping for even more this time round."

Brighouse will throw the switch the night befrore and organisers are hoping for a blue Christmas with a specially colour-coordinated set of lights.

Organiser Coun Colin Stout (Ind, Brighouse) said: "We might be in the middle of a credit crunch but it won't stop us having a great time."

Brighouse High School band Everdaze and sin-ger Lorna Burnsell will perform after winning the Brighouse Has Talent contest earlier this year.

Shops are expected to stay open late. The switch-on is at 6.30pm.

A carol service will be held to celebrate switching on Hebden Bridge's lights on November 22.

Hebden Bridge Band and Junior Band will play in St George Square before the Mayor of Hebden Royd, Susan Press, turns on the lights.