IT CERTAINLY wasn't a silent night as Christmas arrived in Weymouth.

Saturday night saw Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Richard Kosior, with a bit of help from the cast of this year's pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, turn on the town's Christmas lights at Weymouth BID's BIG Christmas Lighting-up Ceremony.

The mayor took to the stage after a day of festivities in the town with plenty to keep everyone entertained.

There were performances throughout the day on both the stage and the ice rink.

There was ice skating displays, music and dancing to entertain the crowds.

Before the light switch on there was Santa's Parade which headed from Brewer's Quay to Cineworld, where Father Christmas has now taken up residence to meet the children of the area.

Cllr Kosior did the honours of turning on the lights to a big crowd before the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk performed some snippets of the show.

Addressing the crowd, he said: "It's fantastic to see everyone out. Remember this is for you Weymouth and Portland."

And the lights were bigger than better with an additional £10,000 worth of decorations won by Weymouth BID for the town.

After pressing the button, the town's lights lit up including the Christmas tree outside Debenhams.

It wasn't just the festivities on the stage drawing people to the town though, with the Real Ice Rink outside debenhams packed and plenty of people enjoying People were also enjoying mulled wine and other treats from the Aprés-Skate Cabin by the ice rink.

There was also a Christmas treat for shoppers and businesses with free parking in the afternoon so people could get started on some present shopping.

Residents are reminded there is free parking in all council run car parks in Weymouth and Portland from now until December 31 from 3pm each day.

For more details see: https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/travel-dorset/roads-and-driving/parking/car-parks-in-dorset/free-parking-december

There are plenty of new attractions around the ice rink including a selfie arch and free WIFI.

For the little ones Santa will also be in his grotto in Cineworld every weekend in December as well as the three days leading up to Christmas Day.

A nativity performance has also been arranged for Saturday, December 17.

There is also still plenty of chances to get your skates on with the ice rink open until January 2.