FROST Fest created a dazzling day in Leigh as parades, festive markets and live music saw the town blast off its Christmas celebrations.

Wigan Council's free family-friendly event on Sunday featured stages of outdoor entertainment, funfairs and a Christmas lights switch-on.

Leigh hosted a Christmas lantern parade, featuring illuminated lanterns, puppets, stilt walkers, and circus performers as the town came alive with light and colour.

Festive markets were part of the dayFestive markets were part of the day (Image: Wigan Council)

The parade through the town centreThe parade through the town centre (Image: Wigan Council) The parade culminated at Civic Square, where an evening of on-stage music and entertainment alongside the Frost Feast pop-up food market followed.

The Light Up Leigh parade was curated by The Turnpike Gallery, community dance company WigLe Dance, and Down to Earth, part of the Creative People and Places Programme, funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

An illuminated owl was part of the paradeAn illuminated owl was part of the parade (Image: Wigan Council) One of the event's colourful charactersOne of the event's colourful characters (Image: Wigan Council) Other community groups and schools also signed up to take part in the parade such as Leigh Youth Hub, Bedford High School, Leigh St Mary’s Primary School and WN Dance.

One part of the parade was a beautiful giant snow leopard puppet, designed by professional artists as a celebration of Leigh Leopards.

Stilt walkers delighted the crowdsStilt walkers delighted the crowds (Image: Wigan Council) Creative director of the Light Up Leigh parade, Amy Hodgson said Light Up Leigh had evolve into a signature event for the town, "bringing people together, showcasing our local talent and giving residents the chance to get involved in something truly special".