SANTA will be making his annual visit to Weymouth this year– and he’ll have even more incentive as it’s set to be the brightest yet.

After winning £10,000 worth of Christmas lights in a competition, Weymouth BID is set to make the festive season really shine.

This year’s Big Christmas lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 3.

It will also mark the opening of the town’s ice rink, which will be in place for a month.

The ice rink will be opened by MP for South Dorset Richard Drax before specially–selected VIPs will don their skates and take to the ice.

The evening’s entertainment will feature food, craft stalls, music and Santa arriving in his sleigh pulled by real reindeer.

Christmas entertainment starts at 2pm and will include ice skating displays by ice skater Milena Benedetto.

Wave at Santa in his parade as he is lead towards his grotto at 5pm, and then cheer as the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Richard Kosior, switches on the lights at 6pm.

Weymouth’s Big Christmas Lighting Ceremony coincides with the national campaign Small Business Saturday which promotes the use of small and independent businesses.

To celebrate, there is free parking in council car parks from noon.

The real ice rink, measuring 15m x 8m, will be located in the square in New Bond Street from December 2 until January 2. Skates will be available to hire as part of the ticket price and spaces can be booked at weareweymouth.co.uk from November 15.

n In September, Weymouth BID won £10,000 worth of Christmas lights at the national Revive & Thrive conference competing against 12 other towns for the top prize.

Blachere Illuminations, the company which provided the prize, has been working with Weymouth BID to make the most of the win. Weymouth BID Levy Paying businesses are also being offered a lit Christmas Tree scheme to maximise the Christmas light win to make the streets of Weymouth magical, and the experience for shoppers even better.

For more information, businesses are asked to contact the BID office on 01305 779410 as soon as possible.