A town centre will become a Christmas haven this weekend with the launch of its Christmas market and lights switch-on.

Mill Hill Christmas Market will open on December 1-2, as the festivities are set to light with the Christmas lights switch-on.

A reindeer from Belmont Farm, a visitor from Saracens RFC, church and school choirs will make an appearance in Mill Hill Broadway on Friday as the town centre is lit up for Christmas, while the market itself will be a filled with street food, artisan delectables, a mobile bar from The Adam and Eve, as well as crafts, jewellery and gifts.

John Gillett, chair of Mill Hill Neighbourhood Forum, said: "This is just one of the many initiatives we have for Mill Hill, to improve our town centre – do come along and also let us have your ideas for developing Mill Hill."

On Saturday Deputy Mayor of Barnet Val Duschinsky will formally open the new Town Square in Mill Hill Broadway just before live music acts play the night away.

There will be three hours of free parking on Saturday in the ‘pay by phone’ Bunns Lane car park and many side streets are free to park on Friday from 12pm and all day Saturday.

The market will be open from 12-6pm and be located outside Santander bank, continuing up to Mill Hill Wines, with additional stalls in the new Town Square.