THE festive season officially started in Fermanagh and Omagh last Saturday with the opening of the ‘Christmas Lights Festival’.

Organised by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the ‘Christmas Lights Festival’ sees the facades of a number of buildings across the district transformed with custom light displays and projections from 6pm to 11pm each evening until January 5.

To mark the beginning of the Christmas Lights Festival, there was a range of entertainment throughout the day, starting at 12.30pm at the Diamond, Enniskillen with a performance by musician Michael Leonard.

At 2.30pm, the Snow Sisters made their appearance followed by a Christmas Elf Trail with Buddy Elf from 3.30pm.

Local band the Hand me Downs then took to the open air stage, getting the festive season into swing with upbeat tunes and Christmas favourites. The Christmas Lights shows then commenced at 5.30pm.

The Council has reinstalled the swan sculpture at Castle Island, which made its debut last Christmas and received a very positive reaction from the general public.

Christmas Lights shows are now taking place nightly at the Intec Centre, Enniskillen and the Court House, Omagh from 6pm to 11pm until January 5.

Other buildings and areas in each town centre will be illuminated with innovative and creative light displays.

Christmas lights displays will also feature in Carrickmore, Dromore, Fintona, Irvinestown and Lisnaskea.

Festive entertainment is also on offer in Enniskillen and Omagh town centres on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons with music and activities for all the family.

Friday night’s 'Live Local n’Late' programme will run until Friday, December 17, while the popular 'Live, Local at Lunchtime' will continue through until Saturday, December 18.

In addition, as part of the Christmas Lights Festival programme of activity, the Council is supporting the Share Village on Ice experience, at the Share Village, Lisnaskea, which is now open and will run until December 19.