There's a whole host of exciting events taking place, with everything from fairytale characters to reindeers, giveaways and even real snow as Sunderland's Christmas celebrations officially kick off.
This evening Sunderland will be ablaze when the annual Christmas Lights are switched on by SAFC Manager Steve Bruce, from 6pm at Mowbray Park - with a new and exciting range of illuminations specially commissioned by the City Council.
The festivities then get underway on Sunday November 22 with the traditional Santa Parade - with real reindeers bringing the man himself into the city centre.
The parade kicks off at 1pm from Bedford Street (near Joplings) and heading to the Market Square via John Street, Fawcett Street, High Street and Union Street.
Make sure you bring all the family for what really will be a spectacular day of seasonal excitement. Joining in this year's parade will be Black Cats mascots Samson and Delilah, characters from the pantomime Peter Pan, alongside pirate stilt walkers, roller booting snowmen, life size Christmas crackers, mischievous elves and other various Christmas characters along with a live brass band.
Once in the Market Square, visitors will be able to see Santa's reindeers and have fun in the special children's play area, complete with real snow.
As if that wasn't enough, Sunderland will also be glittering with a trail of ice sculptures, all inspired by the Empire's pantomime, Peter Pan. Come and see Smee, Tinkerbell, the crocodile, pirates and the lost boys all formed in ice.
Elsewhere in the city, finalists from Sunderland's Christmas Carol competition will be competing for the title in a special event at High Street West from 2.30pm on November 22.
The competition, which is open to all individuals and groups of 15 people or less who attend Sunderland schools, is challenging entrants to create new lyrics and/or melodies for existing Christmas tunes.
The chosen finalists will all perform live in front of competition judges including X Factor finalist Charlie Mole, with the winner walking away
with a cheque for £1,000. Second place will receive £500, third place £250 and runners-up £100.
The afternoon's event will be hosted by Real Radio's Lisa Shaw and will start with a vibrant dance show with artists from Kathleen Davis' School of Dance.
There will also be live performances from KLR Managements' Charlie Mole and Sunderland's Got Talent winner Lauren Waine.
For more information about the 2009 Sunderland Christmas Festival and Illuminations visit www.sunderlandcitycentre.co.uk.
