THE festive season kicks off on Saturday, November 28, with Christmas on the Square. King Square, Barry Town Centre will host a free fun packed event which includes street entertainers, fire jugglers, mulled wine and a live music stage.

The event which runs from 12noon to 6pm will feature a wide range of live music including Impulse 11, All that Jazz, Railroad Bill, RAF St Athan Brass Band, Shooting the Moon and Celtic Music Band Mabon.

Don’t miss the new real Christmas tree on the Square that will be lit up at 5pm.

Central Park, Barry will be home to Santa and his Grotto on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6. Meet Santa in his log cabin grotto and enjoy the festive street entertainers and live music from Samba Galez, RAF St Athan Brass Band and the Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band. The Grotto will be open from 10am to 4pm on the Saturday and from 10am to 3pm on the Sunday.

Admission is £3 per child and includes a gift.

For the first time ever Barry Island will be hosting a festive open air ice rink from Saturday, December 5, 2009 to Sunday, January 3, 2010.

In partnership with the Barry Island Traders, the Winter Wonderland will be based on the Square at Barry Island. The synthetic ice rink will be open from 2pm to 8pm midweek outside of the school holidays and from 12noon to 8pm during the school holidays and weekends. Skating will cost £3 per adult and £2.50 per child. Don’t miss this unique Christmas experience of skating by the sea!

And why not take the Festive Train to the Winter Wonderland. Barry Rail Centre – Tourist Railway, will be running a Christmas themed diesel train from the Good Shed Waterfront Station to the Barry Island Station. The train will run from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, December 5, 12 and 19, and free parking will be available at the Good Shed Site. Cost will apply for travel and ticket will include refreshments.