TAKE That and Robbie Williams songs were belted out as the festive period arrived in Eastwood.
Hundreds attended the switch-on of the town's Christmas lights last night.
The Gary and Robbie Experience – a tribute to Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams – performed well-known songs including Take That's Back For Good and Pray on centre stage in the main square ahead of the big turn-on at 7.45pm.
As they did, the Musketeers Showband of Chesterfield and Eastwood led a lantern parade through the town centre as part of the countdown.
Meanwhile, a brass band performed on a stage outside the Wellington Inn pub, and a train rode through the streets packed with excited children.
Other children were equally excited as they queued up to meet Santa in his grotto, each of them receiving a gift.
Mark Southern, 33, who has lived in the town all his life, said: "It's great to see everyone out here having a good time and celebrating the start of Christmas.
"It really allows everyone to come together and feel like a proper community, as things used to be."
Sally Smith, 35, said: "It's a real feel-good event.
"And it's great to hear some of these Take That songs which I used to love when I was a teenager."
The centre fell silent at 7.45pm as Eastwood Mayor Councillor Hazel Charlesworth and the Mayor of Broxtowe Councillor Iris White prepared to turn the lights on.
As the lights went on cheers erupted.
Mark Smalley, 42, who was there with his two children, said: "I've been coming here for years.
"It signals the start of Christmas in our household.
"I'm under pressure now to get our decorations up, though we may wait a week or so longer."
James Winterburn, 23, of Eastwood, was also in the festive spirit.
He said: "It's the one event in the year when we all come together.
"I don't usually get that excited by Christmas apart from nights like tonight. It feels really festive."
