FAMOUS faces and fairytale delights are in store for the biggest event of the festive season.

Swindon’s Christmas Lights Switch-On returns in November and big names have been booked to make this year’s extravaganza bigger and better than ever.

X Factor runner-up Saara Aalto will be headlining the event and Best of Swindon 2017 winner Maisie Long will be showing off her skills with the Ian Boyd School of Irish Dancing.

Old Town’s own Voice Kids semi-finalist Lewis Blissett will also perform before the big switch-on.

Lewis said: "I've come to this event every year so it's crazy to be part of it.

"I'm really excited to be performing in front of such a huge crowd.

"Saara was really good on the X Factor and I'm looking forward to meeting her."

Swindon will be transformed into a winter wonderland from midday on Saturday November 18, with new Christmas lights, a town crier, bubble-blowing elves, flash mobs, living Christmas trees, children’s characters from Skywalkers, and the Scrooge and Scratchet Comedy Carol Duo entertaining visitors all over the town centre.

The Snowman from the classic Christmas animation will be walking in Havelock Square to meet and greet families.

A giant snow globe will be set up in Regent Circus, Regent Street will be turned into a Fairytale Princess Zone, a wand and sword-making workshop will be held in the Central Library, the Wyvern Theatre will be offering fairytale facepainting, and arts and crafts activities will be available in the Parade.

The main event kicks off at Wharf Green at 5pm with Disney songs from Saara, who came second in 2016’s X Factor and is the voice of Anna in the Finnish dub of Frozen, and Lewis, plus dancing from Swindon Dance and Maisie Long.

The evening event will be hosted by Ben and Mel from Heart Radio and a festive fireworks finale will bring the day to a close.

The big day is being organised by inSwindon and the schedule was officially revealed at yesterday’s launch night.

Christmas came early to the Wyvern Theatre last night with trees, tinsel and lights decorating the room and carols

Lewis Blissett performed two songs before inSwindon Chief Executive Di Powell and Events Manager Jules Brogan revealed the line-up for this year's event.

Di said: “We are extremely excited about what we have lined up for this year’s Christmas Light’s Switch-on!

"Come along and visit our new retailers, buy your Christmas presents, be entertained, take part in free family activities and get that Fairytale Christmas feeling.”

The switch-on kicks off the festive season in style and there'll be plenty of other events held in the town centre in the run up to Christmas Day.

Santa will set up his grotto on the Upper Plaza of the Brunel Shopping Centre to greet good boys and girls from December 11 to December 24, and letters to Santa can be written and sent from November 11 to December 19.

Breakfast With Santa will be held in the Brunel on December 2, 9, 16, and 23.

A Christmas Artisanal Market will set up shop on Saturday December 9.

Adam Woodyatt will return to the Wyvern for the Peter Pan pantomime in December.

The Grinch will also be visiting Swindon at some point in December.