Details of the events taking place in the midlands this festive season.
The midlands is getting festive. Over the next couple of weeks towns around the region will be lit up for Christmas.
Portlaoise is the first town in the region to get celebrations underway. The Christmas lights will be turned on in the town after 6.30pm this evening.
There will then be a Christmas market taking place on the 26th and 27th of November. Stalls will line the Main Street that feature food and crafts as well as amusements and local music.
The market features a new addition of a bandstand in Top Square.
Events are also being in Tullamore this weekend with its annual outdoor craft market in O'Connor square opening this evening. There will be carol singing, live music from local artists, and street entertainment.
On Sunday, Santa has the important job of flicking the switch this year to light up the town.
Children will also be able to travel the streets on 'Santa's Magic Bus' on Saturday. They will also have the opportunity to meet Santa himself and will receive a gift at the end. This is a ticket only event.
The Christmas Tree Mountmellick will also be switched on this evening at 8'oclock. The honours will be done by Ballyfin schoolboy, Thomas Scott.
The tradition of seeing the Christmas lights being turned on in the town was so important to him to donated his communion money to a fundraiser for the lights.
Santa is back in Offaly again on Saturday the 26th of November, he will be in Birr to turn on the Christmas lights. He will arrive, with Mrs. Claus, at 2.30pm in Green Street and will head to the log cabin to have a meet and greet with all the children.
From 2pm onwards there will be train rides around the town, street entertainment, magic shows at 3pm-4pm and 4.30pm-5.30pm, live music, carnival rides, mulled win, hot chocolate and face painting.
It will be €15 entry per family and once they get in, all activities on the green will be free.
Christmas is coming to Athlone this Sunday 27th November.
The lights will be switched on by eight year old Ruby Morrissey. Ruby and her mother suffer from Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which is a rare and painful genetic disorder.
On the 3rd and 10th of December there will be a craft market in St.Kieran's Community Hall.
The Rose of Tralee is in charge of lighting up Mullingar. Rachel Duffy has been tasked with the job at 5.30pm on Friday 2nd December.
There will be various Christmas markets around Mullingar starting from November the 26th.
The Railway Christmas Market runs every weekend from the 26th November to the 18th December.
Meanwhile in Clara, celebrations are taking place on Saturday 3rd at 5 o'clock. The big switch on will feature entertainment for the family as well as a visit from Santa Claus.
On the same day, Portarlington will also be getting in the festive spirit with their Christmas lights being turned.
The Santa Truck will also be stopping by between 6pm-8pm.
Timahoe will also be seen from space on December 3rd, with Santa flicking the switch at 6 o'clock.
From 3pm-7pm there will be a Christmas fair taking place where there will be stalls featuring festive goods, treats, mulled wine, hot food and crepes.
St. Etchen's National School in Kinnegad is holding a Christmas market on the 17th and 18th of December.
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