Harpenden townsfolk were full of Christmas spirit when they gathered to welcome in the festive season and switch on the yuletide lights.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Despite clashing with St Albans’ Christmas lights switch-on event, thousands of people went to the High Street to peruse the Christmas and farmers’ markets, meet Santa and his elves, and enjoy a procession through the centre.

Sparkly lights in silver and gold were turned-on for the first time in 2017 after the sun went down.

Harpenden town councillor Michael Weaver said: “There was a fantastic amount of people and the weather was perfect - it was cold, bright and the sky turned from blue to dark. There was so many children in the procession, hoards of children from different groups all happy, waving things and singing carols. There were people lining the streets. All in all it was a very happy and successful event.”

He said it showed “an awful lot of good will” in Harpenden.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic SocietyHarpenden Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: Harpenden Photographic Society (Image: Archant)