WEBLINKS
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 |  | It's time - with the smell of chestnuts in the air and letters to Santa on their way, it's time for the lights and the switches have been flicked in many shopping centres around the area.
Coventry, Rugby and Leamington have enjoyed their big switch-ons and we went to Coventry to watch Pete Waterman help bathe the city in light and to take a heap of pictures!
If you were there, take a look at our gallery to see if you were among those we caught on camera and you can also keep an eye out for people you know.
One of the biggest switch-on ceremonies took place in Coventry on Sunday, 17 November, and provided a spectacular spectacle for the thousands that braved the cold on the day.
Broadgate was absolutely jam-packed with people craning to see the main stage, which was graced by DJ's from Kix 96 acting as comperes for the afternoon.
Joining them were boy bands BB Mak and Blazing Squad, who were greeted by rapturous screaming and applause, and Coventry's very own Pete Waterman who was there to flick the switch.
One of the highlights of the event, organised by CV One, came in the shape of the carnival, with floats featuring local schools, community groups and the Belgrade Theatre.
ÌýA triumph of organisation
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| Ìý |  | Mark of boy band BBMak enthralls the crowd
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The whole event was a triumph for the organisers and the city of Coventry, which looked beautiful when bathed in festive light.
There was a superb atmosphere throughout the crowd and despite the crush, which did get quite bad near the stage at times, people were still able to sing and dance and create some magnificent Christmas cheer.
ÌýThe real Father Christmas?
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Rugby's light switch-on was also a spectacular affair, with fun taking place under the clock tower all afternoon on Saturday, 16 November.
| Ìý |  | A flower on a float at the Carnival of Light
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The borough council there has invested invested more than £35,000 in new lights this year, which showed when mayor Bill Shields flicked the switch and begin a superb display.
Hundreds packed into town to enjoy an afternoon of music and fun, hosted by Rugby FM, which included Overview and the Christine Anderson Theatre Company.
ÌýAn estimated 9,000 people crammed into Leamington's Parade to watch the light switch on on Sunday, 17 November and although there was a small technical hitch, the event was a huge success.
Leamington has ploughed an extra £35,000 into its lights this year, which was appreciated by a good-natured crowd who had been entertained all afternoon with music and dancing.
ÌýClick the images button below to see our Christmas light gallery
ÌýFather Christmas will also be making an appearance in Stratford, where he will be flicking the switch at 5.30 on Saturday, 23 November.
There will be a host of fun in the town, starting at 5pm - including a spectacular fireworks display (subject to the firefighters strike).
Kenilworth's lights will be flashing from Friday, 29 November, when the switch will be flicked from Talisman Square. The lights come on at 6.30pm.
Presenters from Mercia FM will be joining the very busy Santa in Warwick on Sunday, 1 December, to switch on the lights at 5.30pm.
In North Warwickshire, the switch-ons are taking place throughout November.
The first to go on are Bulkington's at the village centre on Tuesday, 19, from 5pm, in Nuneaton on Thursday, 21, from 5pm, and in Bedworth on Saturday, 23, from 10am.
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