CHRISTMAS is well and truly on East Lothian's radar and towns and villages are getting into the festive spirit.

Lights are switched on tonight (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday, with plenty of entertainment on offer as well.

Kicking things off tonight is a switch on in East Linton.

East Linton's community council, along with the Dunbar and East Linton Area Partnership, has supported businesses and residents in the village to ensure there will be new Christmas lights in The Square and around the community hall.

Festive decorations will also be in place in the village.

The lights will be switched on in The Square at 7pm by two youngsters, who were nominated by the winner of the duck race, which took place earlier this year.

This will be followed by a switch-on party in the community hall with food, a licensed bar, and entertainment for all the family. Tickets can be obtained from the village’s Post Office.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, it is the turn of West Barns and North Berwick.

A donation of £1,200 has ensured that West Barns is sparkling this festive season.

West Barns will switch on its Christmas lights on Saturday evening, with new lights purchased following a four-figure donation from Viridor.

Kenny Borthwick, from the village’s Christmas Lights committee, was looking forward to the switch on at 6pm.

He said: “We are thrilled to have the support of Viridor. 
“The Christmas Lights switch-on is a much-anticipated event in the village each year and a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make it happen. 

“We have desperately needed to replace the lights so this generous donation has enabled us to do just that.”

Teas and coffees will be served in the village hall after the switch on.

In North Berwick, a service will take place in Abbey Church with carol singing and entertainment ahead of the switch-on, with the town’s Christmas lights switched on at 4pm.

Finally, wrapping things up on Sunday, it is the turn of Haddington, Dunbar and Tranent.

In the Hidden Toun, Santa Claus will ensure Haddington is sparkling when the town’s Christmas lights are switched on.

Lights are already up around the town centre ahead of the Christmas in Haddington event.

Haddington Corn Exchange is the venue, with the fun running from noon to 4pm.

Indoor games, a bouncy castle, face-painting and other activities are on offer before live music from Carli Trotter and Lewis Thomson outside at 4pm. 

A lantern procession at 4.45pm leads up to the lights being switched on at 5.30pm.

In Dunbar, footballers will light up the town’s High Street after being chosen to switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

Dunbar United players and management will push the button after a memorable season, which saw the team reach the fifth round of the Scottish Junior Cup and also finish top of the South Division for the very first time.

A Christmas market will be held on the day from 3pm, with the big switch-on expected to take place at about 6pm.

The sporting theme builds on last year, when Commonwealth, World Championships and Olympic medallist Dan Wallace switched on the lights.

More than 2,000 people turned out to see Wallace, who grew up in the town before moving to North Berwick, and to mark the special day.

And, in 2015, it was Paralympic – as well as European and World Championships – medallist Maria Lyle, who switched on the lights in her hometown.

Finally, in Tranent, youngster Luke Stewart will switch on the town’s Christmas lights.

The youngster, who was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) in January this year, switches on the lights at Winton Place at 5pm.

Ross High School Brass Band and Clark Community Choir will lead carol singing around the Christmas tree during the evening.

Enjoy the fun. . . but wrap up well!