Newbury and Hungerford all aglow today (Sunday)

Newbury and Hungerford will bask in the glow of Christmas today (Sunday) when the festive lights are switched on.

Newbury's Noel begins when the parade sets off at 5.30pm and travels along Bartholomew Street, Northbrook Street, London Road, Park Way and Wharf Street before winding up in Market Place for the grand switch on.

For those wishing to make a day of it there will be live music from noon along with children’s rides to keep the crowds entertained before the main event at 6.15pm.

Hungerford's amazing Christmas lights – the envy of the region – are switched on this Sunday.

Enterainment starts at 4.30pm and then, at 6pm, former John O’Gaunt School pupil and QPR striker Charlie Austin throws the switch.

The spectacle, which regularly draws more than 2,000 people to the switch-on ceremony, uses around 380 Christmas trees and 400 strings of lights comprising nearly 50,000 LED bulbs.

For a different type of Christmas warmth, why not head to a lantern-making workshop?

Held at New Greenham Arts; free drop-in sessions run from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. Lanterns take one-to-two hours to make and can be used in the Festival of Light parade on December 13.

Also today Newbury District Ornithological Club’s morning walk will take place on Lambourn Downs.

West Berkshire Ramblers weekend walks, meet 9.30am in the church car park in Nuffield – small donation for church funds appreciated – (GR: SU667873), for an 11-mile hilly walk in the Chilterns to Maidensgrove, Pishill, Park Corner and Ewelme Park.

Spirals Craft Market, Town Hall, Hungerford, from 10am until 4pm.