THE festivities got off to a successful start in Hyde with the spectacular Lantern Parade amid a packed town centre.
Continuing the Christmas theme, children will soon have the opportunity to meet Santa inside Clarendon Square Shopping Centre.
The big man himself will be downstairs at the indoor market on Saturday, December 7, from 10am to 4pm.
It’s been organised by the Hyde Knit and Natter Ladies, who have sponsored gifts for the grotto.
No booking is required and admission is £2 per child.
Next to the grotto will be a craft stall, with lots of presents for sale, and a tombola.
All proceeds will go towards supplying food parcels put together by the Hyde-based Sandwich Angels.
The community group of volunteers, which formed in 2016 and receives no government funding, helps to feed the hungry and homeless of Tameside and wider Greater Manchester.
The group says it has seen a high rise in more elderly people needing help and is appealing for donations of blankets, warm socks, hats, gloves, flasks, tins of biscuits, colouring books, and crayons.
Items can be dropped off at The Cheese and The Buxton Inn pubs in Gee Cross, as well as Poundstretcher and NatWest on Market Place in Hyde. Bennett Staff on Market Street are also accepting donations of selection boxes.
People can contact Sandwich Angels directly on 07713 973 640.