The Christmas lights in Witney were switched on in style on Friday night.
Witney’s Christmas Light Switch On made a triumphant return to the town and officially kicked off the festive season.
Last year’s event was unable to go ahead due to safety concerns about Covid-19.
This year’s switch-on was jointly organised by the Witney Rotary Club, Witney Lions and Witney Round Table, as well as being supported by the Witney Town Council.
On November 26, the family-friendly switch-on event featured live music, stalls, Santa’s Grotto, food and a funfair.
Crowds descended on Market Square and the lights were turned on at 6pm.
Witney & West Oxfordshire MP Robert Courts said: “Wonderful Witney Christmas lights switch on last night, and fantastic to see such a huge turnout for this highlight of the festive calendar, particularly after last year’s absence.
“Many congratulations to everybody who was involved in this year’s wonderful display, including Rotary Club of Witney, Witney Town Council, volunteers and all those who brought their stalls along!”
A Witney Town Council spokesperson said the council was “delighted” to support the Rotary Club and the return of the event.
Other areas in the county, however, have not had their usual switch-on events this year, with a number being cancelled.
The Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza which is organised by the Chamber of Commerce and normally runs at the end of November, will not go ahead.
A spokesperson from the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce said: "The pressures on businesses and personal life over the last eighteen months has left little room for extra activities in most of our lives.
"At the time we would normally approach businesses for sponsorship we were in a national lockdown. Furthermore, the situation was never clear as to what this festive season would be like.
"Asking for sponsorship and booking entertainment along the lines that we have been doing in previous years was just not feasible."
In Didcot, the Christmas Street Fair has also been cancelled due to concerns around social distancing.
Instead, two smaller events at Milton Gate and the Orchard Centre have been organised.
A spokesperson for the Christmas Fair said: “Didcot Events team are sorry to say that this year’s Didcot Christmas Street fair cannot go ahead.
“For various reasons we felt we could not be responsible for a large event in Didcot when people are still cautious about gathering in large numbers which we cannot restrict or control.
“We know many of you will be disappointed and many of our charities ,clubs and groups who raise money for their good causes will miss out.”
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