Shoppers got their first taste of Christmas last night when the Lord Mayor of Oxford turned on the festive lights in Broad Street.
The road was transformed into a hive of activity with a continental market, dancing and carol singing by the East Oxford Community Choir.
About 200 people gathered to watch Russian dance group Yarmarka, who wowed the crowds with their energetic moves, before inviting some of the younger members of the audience to join in the festivities.
Lord Mayor Jim Campbell welcomed the crowd and said: "I would like to thank Yarmarka and the choir for a wonderful, colourful, lively, international start to the Magic of Christmas, Oxford's first Christmas festival.
"This is just a taster, we have got an amazing array of events. It is bringing together people of all faiths and people of all communities and countries from all over the world."
The lights on the tree were then turned on to cheers and applause from the crowd.
The event was the first in a festive programme organised by Oxford City Council with help from sponsors including the Oxford Mail, Visit Oxford, OX1, Oxford Castle and Oxford Preservation Trust.
As part of the festival, there will be a massive parade through the city centre today, with the Christmas lights turning on automatically as it passes through town.
The procession will start at 3pm in Queen Street, and weave through Cornmarket Street and George Street, before ending at Oxford Castle in New Road.
Mr Campbell, the Mayor of Bonn, Oxford's German twin town, and 200 musicians will join the parade, which will end with Christmas tree lights being switched on at the castle.
On December 2, the Covered Market will be turning its festive lights on and Yarmarka will be performing at Oxford Town Hall.
For tickets, call May Wylie on 01865 252537.
On December 5, the Christmas lights will be switched on outside Oxfordshire County Council's County Hall in New Road at 4.30pm.
Children from Rush Common Primary School, Abingdon, will also be singing carols.
From December 11, a Christmas grotto will be open at Oxford Castle. For more information, visit www.oxford.gov.uk/magicofchristmas
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