Scarborough Sparkle

Scarborough Sparkle returns to the Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Burniston Road from Friday 27 November, the town's annual festive gathering and the traditional curtain-raiser for the local Christmas season. It's a free event, and it runs across three days: Friday 5pm to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 8pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

The centrepiece is the community lantern parade. The lanterns are made of paper and willow by community groups, volunteers and schoolchildren, waterproofed and lit with low-energy LEDs, with the whole thing coordinated by the arts organisation Animated Objects. It's the part of the weekend that brings the most people together, with the lanterns moving through the town.

Beyond the parade, there's a live stage hosted by local radio station This Is the Coast, with local choirs and bands performing throughout. A traditional Christmas market runs alongside it, with more than 50 stalls run by local businesses, independent traders and community organisations. There's also a tipi bar, funfair rides, marshmallow toasting, a snow machine, Santa's sleigh and a Christmas tree.

If you're coming from further afield, a free shuttle bus runs hourly on the Saturday and Sunday between Eastfield and Peasholm Park. Entry is free across the whole weekend, with the Open Air Theatre on Burniston Road, YO12 6PF, as the main hub.