The Island's capital will shine brightly tonight (21 Nov) when the Christmas lights are switched on.
Entertainment starts at 6.15pm outside the town hall in Ridgeway Street, where a preview of this year's pantomime Babes in the Wood will set the festive mood.
Crowds will take part in the traditional countdown to the switch-on ceremony at 7pm, when Mayor of Douglas Carol Malarkey 'throws the switch' to set ablaze a dazzling six-and-a-half miles of lighting strung around the town centre.
Tonight's event heralds the start of late night shopping on Thursday evenings until 9pm in the run-up to Christmas, with European market traders offering continental goods from outdoor stalls in the town centre until 29 November.
Father Christmas will be in his grotto at the Stand Centre 5pm - 8pm where shoppers are invited to enjoy a cup of festive mulled punch.
At the other end of town on North Quay, Douglas town band will strike-up outside The British pub as a horse-drawn dray delivers Okell's festive ale St Nick's, with free pints from the first barrel until it runs out!
Douglas Council leader David Christian believes Christmas truly starts when the capital lights up:
Clip 1
Looneys of Ramsey to close
Future of Belfast flights 'precarious' due to low passenger numbers
Ministers to meet with LVA to discuss hospitality concerns
Fine for Douglas man caught with cocaine in car park
No one hurt in Coranny car blaze
Sewerage, population, GP appointments and housing among the west's top issues for CoMin
