LOOE is getting ready for a weekend of activities in the countdown to Christmas in the town.

From Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 3, there are events for all of the family to enjoy.

On Friday, it’s the Looe lantern parade. There will be two processions assembling at approximately 6.30pm in each of two venues: The Rose Garden, East Looe and The Millpool, West Looe.

The two processions will converge on the bridge and the combined procession will then culminate at the Quayside Shelter, in West Looe, at approximately 7pm for a carol service and formal switch-on of the Christmas lights.

This year Looe Harbour Commissioners have a great surprise in store as an illuminated sea monster will land in the river to be part of the spectacle.

A competition to name the monster will be held on the Saturday.

New icicle illuminations will also be installed on the north side of the Looe bridge, to complement the popular dolphins and ships on the seaward side.

The grand lights-up ceremony will be followed on the quayside by soup and rolls, children’s entertainment, a children’s and adults’ disco and a licensed bar. Saturday, December 2, sees Santa’s arrival and the Christmas market. All activities on this day will take place in Buller Quay car park, East Looe. The stalls will be open from midday to 7pm.   Santa will arrive by train at 3pm, before leading a procession around the town and back to his grotto outside the Harbour Office in East Looe, where (after fireworks in West Looe) he will greet children until approximately 7pm. Also on the harbour will be craft stalls, performances, a bar, hot food, a bucking reindeer and bouncy castle, a children’s entertainer and live animals. Free parking will be provided during the whole of that Saturday in the Cornwall Council car parks at the Riverside and Millpool

The Cornish Times team will be staffing a stall at Bullers Quay car park, East Looe during the festive activities, joined by representatives of Blood Bikes with their bikes, from midday to 7pm.

There is a craft market at the Quayside Centre in West Looe on Sunday, December 3.

The day will also see the Looe Santa Fun Run, organised by the Looe Pioneers, taking place with registration from 11am at the Quayside Centre, West Looe, and the run beginning at midday.

The entry fee is £2 and all are welcome to take part in the event, wearing Santa hats or festive costume.