It’s the most wonderful time of the year and today Gravesend will be lit up as the Christmas lights go on.

It marks the first of Gravesham council’s Twelve Days of Christmas events.

There will be a parade through the town with about 400 schoolchildren carrying lanterns, led by Gravesham mayor, Cllr Derek Sales.

The lights will go on in stages, including those at St George’s, before culminating at Community Square where the tree will be lit.

New lights this year include those around the Clock Tower and Berkley Crescent.

There will be a Nativity scene on the square, designed by students from North West Kent College and helped by Gravesham council.

4.30pm – Starting point at St George’s Centre (rear of Marks & Spencer)
4.33pm – Parade stops by Argos to switch on St George’s Lights
4.35pm – Parade moves out of St George’s Centre onto New Road (turning left)
4.40pm – Switch on lights in New Road and Thamesgate Centre
4.45pm – Parade stops at bottom of Windmill Street to switch on canopy of lights
4.50pm – Parade moves off along Windmill Street to gate by Railway Place to switch on Windmill Street lights
4.55pm – Parade moves through gate onto Community Square
5.10pm – Countdown to switch Christmas tree lights on

On Saturday, two turtle doves will be released from Community Square from 12.15pm by the mayor.

Throughout the day there will be a town crier and a tap-dancing turkey.

On November 22, Gravesham council is asking people to come to Community Square to take part in a world record attempt for the largest number of elves.

To take part, all you need to do is register your details and come along at 1.30pm.

Other events in the Twelve Days of Christmas programme include Scottish pipers representing 11 pipers piping on December 20, and a staged drumming extravaganza on December 21 representing 12 drummers drumming.

For more information, and to register to be an elf, visit www.christmasingravesend.co.uk

Dartford will light up tomorrow with stars, smiles and plenty of festive glow.

Actor, presenter and comedian Les Dennis will lead an afternoon of entertainment in the High Street in the build-up to the big Christmas lights switch-on.

He will be joined by Olympic sprinter, Dartford’s own Adam Gemili, and Christmas colouring competition winner, five-year-old John Bruce, to flick the switch at 5.15pm.

But there is all sorts of fun to be had beforehand, with performers on stage from 2pm and lots of giveaways.

All-round entertainer Adam Hoffman will be first to delight with comedy, magic and music.

During the day, the Orchard Theatre, Dartford Football Club and Asda Distribution will be handing out prizes as will Beautiful Nails, Sainsbury’s, Wilkinsons, Waitrose, The Clipper pub, Mick Jagger Centre, Longfield’s Sweet Cake Fairy shop and Bar Mondo.

McDonald’s and Twin Noodle Bar & Restaurant will also be handing out vouchers and gifts. All the giveaways will be on a first-come first-served basis.

Beer Pressure, a band determined to make the audience sing and dance with a set of classics and modern tunes, will be next to take to the stage followed by 26-year-old singer Tom Vaughan, known for his role as DJ Spike in Hollyoaks.

Michael Jackson and One Direction tribute acts will be next to entertain, before the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Patsy Thurlow, gets on stage with Les Dennis, Adam Gemili – who turned on the lights last year – and young John to turn on the lights.

They will be joined by Cinderella panto stars The Ugly Sisters and, of course, Father Christmas.

The day is funded by Dartford council, alongside sponsorship from The Orchards shopping centre, Priory Shopping Centre, McDonald’s, Twin Noodle Bar & Restaurant, Santander, All Night Cars and Wilkinsons.

The Royal Victoria & Bull Hotel is also supporting the day, providing hotel rooms for acts for the afternoon and hosting an after-event buffet.

Any lost children will be taken into the care of staff at the children’s play centre, Lollipops, and the Dartford Messenger is providing media support.

X Factor sensation Tamera Foster, from Gravesend, has tweeted that she will be turning on Bluewater’s Christmas lights.

The shopping centre confirmed last week that British singer Jahmene Douglas will be turning on their lights but rumours about Tamera joining him were circulating.

On Monday she tweeted saying: “I’ll be turning on the Bluewater Shopping Centre Christmas lights along side @JahmeneDouglas @jahthis Friday, feel free to come down.”

Jahmene, the 22-year-old runner-up in X Factor in 2012, will also be performing hits from his album Love Never Fails.

He will be joined by a host of other people including Justin Fletcher from Cbeebies and up-and-coming British band Only The Young.

Little ones can join Santa and friends, along with the London Community Gospel Choir as they sing acapella and parade through the mall from 5.45pm, leading everyone out to the light switch on festivities.

Justin Fletcher will be getting the party going, dancing and singing some favourite children’s songs with a live band.

Only The Young will take to the stage to perform before Jahmene sings alongside the London Community Gospel Choir.

Jahmene said: “I’m really honoured to be switching on the Christmas lights at Bluewater this year. It will be great to get the chance to perform live at such an exciting event.”

Robert Goodman, Bluewater’s general manager, said: “We are really excited about this year’s light switch on performances and what is sure to be a truly excellent family outing and evening of celebration.”

The huge shopping centre is also opening its Winter Wonderland on November 29.

It will include a 40 metre snow slide, indoor ice skating, enchanted Santa’s Grotto and much more.