TOWNS and villages across the area will be switching on their Christmas lights over the coming weeks. Here's our guide to what's happening.

1. The grand opening of Bournemouth’s first ever Christmas Tree Wonderland festival trail takes place tomorrow (November 16) at Pier Approach. Entertainment starts from 6pm with Bournemouth’s pantomime stars making an appearance and the Funky Little Choir singing Christmas songs. Then at 6.30pm, the lights will be switched on with a firework display from Bournemouth beach.

2. Boscombe’s Christmas Celebration Around the Tree is being held on Saturday (November 17) from 3.30pm. The 15-metre tree will be decorated with locally designed gift boxes and the lights will be switched on by 'local hero' Cindy Jermon at 4pm.

3. Southbourne will be switching on its Christmas lights on November 24, at 5.45pm. More than 80 trees lining Southbourne Grove will be lit.

4. Former children's TV presenter Chris Jarvis, who is appearing in panto as Dick Whittington in Poole, will join the Mayor of Poole for the lighting of the town's Christmas lights on November 29, at 5.45pm. There will be festive activities during the day from 11am including a Christmas karaoke sing along, giant snow globe and Santa parade in Falkland Square.

5. TV veteran Fred Dinenage will be at the Christchurch Christmas Festival on November 24 to help turn on the town's twinkling lights at 6pm. The festival takes place between 10am and 8pm.

6. Ferndown's Christmas lights switch on is being held on November 24. There will be festive fun from 1pm in Penny's Walk with stalls, rides and games, seasonal food and drink, live music, a nativity scene and a visit from Father Christmas. The lights will be turned on by the Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Jean Read, at 5pm under the clock tower.

7. AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe will be turning on Wimborne's Christmas lights on November 24, at 4.30pm in the Square. The build-up starts from 10.30am and there will be a full day of live music and entertainment from the likes of Ukulele Band, Just Sing adult choir and West Moors Gospel Choir. The day will end at 4.45pm when Wimborne Militia will be firing on the Minster Green.

8. Castlepoint Shopping Centre’s illuminations will be switched on between 5pm and 7pm on November 23. The free event will include a performance of Sleeping Beauty with the cast from Bournemouth's panto making an appearance.

9. Runton Road's famous illuminations will be officially switched on at 5.30pm on December 8.

10. Verwood's Christmas Extravaganza will be held on Ferrett's Green on December 8. Father Christmas will arrive at 5pm before helping the Mayor of Verwood switch on the Christmas lights. Verwood Concert Brass and Verwood Choral Society will be performing music to get people into the Christmas spirit.

11. Ringwood’s annual Christmas light spectacular takes place on December 2. There will be a Christmas market featuring local traders, crafters with food and drink on sale. Then later in the day, Father Christmas will arrive by horse drawn carriage for the official switch on.

12. The Canford Cliffs Land Society will be switching on the Christmas lights at 5pm on November 30 at Magna Motors in Haven Road. The Village Community Choir will perform.

13. Christmas comes to Lymington on November 23. There will be festive market stalls in the High Street with the mayor switching on the lights at 6.15pm, followed by an appearance from Santa.

14. Byron Road residents will be turning on their lights in Barton-on-Sea from 4pm on December 2.

15. New Milton Christmas Festival and Lantern Parade is being held in the town centre on November 24 from midday. The event will also incorporate a Disney themed Lantern Parade organised by The Lions Club as well as the town's big switch on.