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The rain may have kept some people away from the Buxton Christmas lights switch-on, but there was still plenty of festive cheer in the air.

Celebrity James Holmes, who plays the Ugly Sister in the Buxton Opera House pantomime Cinderella, joined forces with High Peak Mayor Ed Kelly on Friday to turn on the lights at the Pavilion Gardens.

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The switch-on event at the bandstand on the promenade also saw a special guest appearance by Father Christmas.

Carols on the bandstand | JPIMedia Resell

Miranda star James, who will be appearing in his fifth pantomime at the opera house, was full of praise for the town.

He said: “I love the friendly café at Fiveways. I also love when it snows here, it’s so beautiful, especially when the panto is on.”

He also admitted how he loved exploring the surrounding countryside on his days off from panto duties.

Prior to the switch-on, he was out and about on the promenade to greet revellers, and added how nice it was to see so many people approach him to say hello.

High Peak Mayor Ed Kelly and panto star James Holmes turn on tyhe lights | JPIMedia Resell

Pupils from Buxton Community School and St Anne’s Catholic Voluntary Academy performed on the bandstand, and Fairfield Band entertained after the switch-on.

The Grand Bazaar was open from early afternoon on Friday, giving shoppers a chance to bag some Christmas gifts, tasty treats and mulled wine.

The Buxton Lions’ Santa’s Grotto welcomed children on the stage in the Octagon Hall, and there was also a face painter and children’s rides on the promenade to keep the little ones happy.

Buxton Christmas lights switch-on in pictures