Each area had a mini twilight market with a variety of fabulous stalls featuring artisan food and drinks, arts and crafts and unique gift ideas that definitely helped to help with Christmas gift shopping.
Local school choirs sang carols, merry music was played, little ones danced and, of course, Santa Claus himself took time out of his busy schedule to switch on the all important Christmas tree lights.
![Santa got a warm welcome at the Markethill Christmas lights switch-on event.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjk1NDQxNzk1LTI1N2UtNDE2Ny04MTIyLTAzMjY1NjI3OTk5ZDoxYTZhYzVjZC1hMzlkLTRlMDUtOGFlZS05YjNmMWY4MzU5OTk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Smiles for Santa
Santa got a warm welcome at the Markethill Christmas lights switch-on event. Photo: contributed
![Santa stopped off in Markethill for the festive switch-on.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjEzZWRlYjhjLTVjZjYtNDJiYi1hMjJhLTIzMmY5OGQ0MTIzZjpkN2YzNDgxYy1lNGJkLTQwMzUtODk1MS0xYjk0NmJkMWQ1ODY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Special memories
Santa stopped off in Markethill for the festive switch-on. Photo: contributed
![Enjoying the festive fun in Markethill.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjdjNGZhMWQwLWZmYWQtNDBhZS04YWZlLTNkNzUzNmQ3YzcxMDoyZTY5MGYwYS04ZjhlLTQ0ZWQtYTVlNC01YmUyZWY1Njk0YTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Fun night out
Enjoying the festive fun in Markethill. Photo: contributed
![Keeping warm at the Markethill switch-on.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmY5MDZmMjU4LWNkNTctNGQ1My04YjAyLTJmMDkyZWU0ZTUxYTpmNmYyOTQ5Mi05MmY4LTQ2MTktYjNiOS0yYjdhYTlhNjcxMTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Wrapped up for Christmas
Keeping warm at the Markethill switch-on. Photo: contributed