A family-friendly line up of festive events are underway in Barrow in the run-up to Christmas, with the aim of attracting people from across Cumbria and beyond.

Saturday 26 November is officially ‘Shop Barrow Day’.

There will be free all-day parking in the town centre and Barrow Outdoor Market Square will set the scene for family entertainment and workshops from Matrix Circus.

One of the highlights of the festive programme will be the return of the popular ‘Santa Express’, a free ‘hop on, hop off’ train which will run across the weekend of Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December with various drop off points around the town centre.

That Sunday will also see the festivities get into full swing at Barrow Indoor Market with free mulled wine tasting, plus carol singing from Furness Youth Theatre followed by the Boom Dang drummers.

Barrow Market will be open six days a week throughout December and the Indoor Market will be the venue for a special ‘Green Doctor’ energy stall on Saturday 10 December, providing free advice and giveaways to support with saving on people’s energy bills.

There will be live entertainment in both the indoor and outdoor markets too, with a special music stage located in the town centre. Meanwhile, that afternoon will see the return of the popular Rotary Barrow Santa Dash, a 4km walk, jog or run around Barrow Park in aid of St Mary’s Hospice.

Don’t miss a free festive trail based on the 12 days of Christmas spread across Barrow Park and The Dock Museum on a range of dates: 3, 4, 7, 10 and 11 December. Hosted by BarrowFull, free transport will be available for these family events.

Closer to the big day, there will be a free Santa’s Christmas Grotto on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December at Barrow Indoor Market. A free curling rink will also be located in Dalton Road all day on the Sunday.

Elsewhere, there are a series of Christmas light switch-ons to look forward to. Lindal-in-Furness Christmas Fayre will include the festive lights bursting to life on Friday 25 November at Buccleuch Hall.

In Askam-in-Furness, people are being encouraged to bring their own torches, decorated umbrellas and lanterns (but no naked lights) for the Christmas Light Switch On & Parade of Light on Sunday 27 November.

Meanwhile, Dalton Lights Switch On takes place on Sunday 4 December, with street entertainment, themed market stalls and a Santa drive past.

A special Christmas Tree Festival is also taking place at St Mary’s Church in Dalton every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon from 25 November until 24 December. It is also open on Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 December.

For all the information and timings on Barrow’s festive events, call Michelle Doherty at The Forum on: 01229 82000.