See as Barry turns on its Christmas lights for 2023

Despite plummeting temperatures, families watched as the central library came ablaze with lights - and it was Father Christmas himself who made it happen.

Christmas lights on in Barry (Image: Newsquest)

The lights on Holton Road (Image: Newsquest)

The man from the North Pole himself came all the way to Barry where, on a stage set up in King Square, Santa pressed a crystal button, sparklers went off, and Christmas in Barry officially began.

A evening of light-fantastique! (Image: Newsquest)

There was quite the celebration (Image: Newsquest)

The event wasn't so much a lights switch-on as a "festival".

Put on by Barry Town Council in partnership with the Vale County Council, the event started at midday.

The event started at midday (Image: Newsquest)

Barry's Male Voice Choir welcomed the festival in (Image: Newsquest)

• Watch below, as Barry turns on its Christmas lights

King Square and Holton Road were slowly waking up to the festivities ahead.

The showmen moved in setting up their rides in the cold grey light of a winter's day among the lyrical sounds of the Barry Male Voice Choir.

By 6.30pm, thousands were on the street including Barry's 'Super Choir' (Image: Newsquest)

Stalls were set up on the square and in Central Park selling everything from hot food to Christmas goodies and gin - lots of gin.

There were rides (Image: Newsquest)

Family fun with the Griffiths family (Image: Newsquest)

By 6.30pm, when the lights were to be turned on, the town had transformed and King Square was buzzing with families and the flashing lights of the funfair.

King Square was packed (Image: Newsquest)

• Watch our Facebook live by clicking here as we were there when Barry turned on the lights!

The biggest cheer went to Santa as he emerged from the library, onto the stage, and commenced proceedings.

The stalls were running a busy trade (Image: Newsquest)

The most unusual cheer was for the display by visitors from afar.

Russian travellers and their weary mammoth strolled round King Square wishing everyone a happy Christmas.

Visitors from afar came to see the lights (Image: Newsquest)

• Watch the visitors from afar who came to Barry in the video below

Families had a great time (Image: Newsquest)

Fun on the rides (Image: Newsquest)

The mayor of Barry Ian Johnson (centre) and councillors from event hosts the Barry Town Council (Image: Newsquest)

Lights, lights and more lights! (Image: Newsquest)

The lights might be switched on, but the festival hasn't stopped.

Barry's Christmas festival continues for two more days with rides and stalls set up Friday, December 1 and Saturday, December 2.

And the festivities don't stop there. The town council is hosting a "Mental Elf Run" on Sunday, December 3, at Barry Island which will feature a 2k run for adults, children and dogs.

All the information on the run can be found here: https://www.barrytowncouncil.gov.uk/etn/mental-elf-run-2023/