THERE'S a host of festive treats - including award winning brass - taking place across Oldham town centre in the countdown to Christmas.

The much anticipated Santa’s Reindeer Parade will weave it's way through the streets on Saturday, November 10, from 1–3.30pm.

This year’s theme is ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and will feature more than 200 participants from local community and arts groups.

There will be music from Dobcross Silver Band, Oldham Scottish Pipe Band and mini-musicians of the future from The Incredible Plastic Street Band.

The Oldham Christmas lights switch-on on Sunday November 18, from 1–6pm, promises to be an ‘out-of-this-world’ experience with Tiny and Small from The Clangers making appearances throughout the day in Parliament Square.

The lights will be switched on at 5pm at Tommyfield Market.

Amazing LED robotic dancers from Cirque Bijou are set to wow the crowds alongside an other-worldly performance by Oldham Theatre Workshop before a fantastic firework finale finishes off the evening with a bang.

The annual winter brass band festival, Brass Monkeys, takes place on Saturday December 8, from 11am–4pm.

A treat of traditional music and festive sounds, it features the world famous Foden’s Band, fresh from the ‘National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain’ held at the Royal Albert Hall in London as well as an array of local brass bands.

The acclaimed Fairey Band will also be striking up a tune or two as well as Manchester’s newest funk brass ensemble Twisted Tubes.

Oldham Parish Church Christmas Tree Festival is an absolute must-see with dozens of festive firs to feast your eyes on.

There's also lots of Christmas family fun going on at Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, the Music Centre’s Junior and Senior Christmas Festivals, plus the Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella.

Councillor Sean Fielding, Oldham Council Leader, said: “We certainly know how to celebrate Christmas in Oldham.

“There are lots of events for residents to enjoy as the festive season approaches.

“It’s particularly exciting that the world famous and award-winning Foden’s band are paying us a visit for Brass Monkeys.

“I hope you take the opportunity to have fun over the coming weeks and enjoy what the town centre has on offer, especially while you’re out doing your Christmas shopping.”

Free parking is available across all council-owned town centre car parks for up to three hours at weekends - just take a ticket from the machine and display it in your vehicle - and you can tick plenty of items off your Christmas list thanks to an array of shopping outlets including Tommyfield Market.

For more details on Christmas events, visit www.oldham.gov.uk/christmas.