Where can I see Christmas lights switch-ons in Northern Ireland?

It is six weeks to go until Christmas - so where can you see the lights be switched on across Northern Ireland?

With the shorter days and longer nights ahead, it may be time to dust off the baubles and fairy lights as the festive season kicks into full swing.

Councils around Northern Ireland have plenty of events to get you ready for the big day.

On Saturday, Belfast will see its annual Christmas lights switch-on, led by the city's Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly, with performances and appearances by choirs, musicians and dancers.

Tickets for the much-anticipated event are gone, but for those lucky enough to have been allocated some, gates will open at 18:00 GMT with the event due to start 30 minutes later.

The city's Christmas Market will also open its doors for its six-week run on Saturday.

Roads in and around the city centre will close from 16:30 until 20:30.

So what is on, and when, across Northern Ireland?

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council

The first of Antrim and Newtownabbey Council's Christmas switch-on events take place at Crumlin Leisure Centre on Thursday 20 November at 18:00.

This will be followed by:

Randalstown - John Street Car Park - Friday 21 November from 18:00

Antrim - Railway Street Car Park - Saturday 22 November from 16:30

Monkstown - Jordanstown Road/Devenish Drive - Wednesday 26 November from 18:00

Glengormley - Lilian Bland Park - Thursday 27 November from 18:00

Netownabbey - Valley Leisure Centre - Friday 28 November from 18:00

Ballyclare - The Square Car Parek - Saturday 29 November from 16:30

Ards and North Down Borough Council

Bangor will host "Christmas in the City" - a weekend-long event featuring live music at Bangor Castle and throughout the city on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November.

The lights will be switched on at 18:00 on Saturday.

Towns throughout the council's borough will also host a number of Christmas events, such as the switch-on in Comber on Thursday 27 November from 17:00, Newtownards Town Centre on Friday 28 November at 16:00 and Holywood at 16:30 on Saturday 29 November.

A number of villages will also be hosting their own Christmas tree light switch-on.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council

Santa will be hitting the road in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council, aiming to light up the borough in time for the big day.

He'll be making his first appearance in Portadown on Friday 14 November from 18:00, before visiting Brownlow, Lurgan, Dromore, Banbridge and Waringstown.

Armagh City's Georgian Festival will host Santa for the light-up on Sunday 30 November.

Santa, Mrs Clause and their elves will be taking part in ABC Council's "Santa on Tour"

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council

The council will host four main switch-on events along the north coast.

Ballymoney - Ballymoney Town Centre - Thursday 20 November from 17:00

Limavady - Limavady Town Centre - Saturday 22 November from 14:00

Ballycastle - Ballycastle Seafront - Thursday 27 November from 18:30

Coleraine - Coleraine Town Centre - Friday 28 November from 18:00

Derry City and Strabane District Council

Fresh from hosting Europe's biggest Halloween festivities, Londonderry will see a procession throughout the city centre on Friday 21 November from 19:00, with Santa switching on the Christmas lights as he passes by.

In Strabane, festivities will get under way from noon on Saturday 22 November, with the main switch-on event taking place at 17:00.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

Brass bands, carol singing and arts and crafts will be at the heart of Enniskillen and Omagh town's Christmas Lights switch-on events on Saturday 22 November.

Performers will be taking to the stage at Omagh Courthouse and The Diamond in Enniskillen from 13:00, leading up to the official lighting displays at 17:30.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council

A magical evening has been promised as the Lisburn's Christmas lights are switched on in the city's Market Square on Thursday 20 November.

With festivities kicking off from 18:00, the Mayor Amanda Grehan and Santa will flip the switch and light up the city.

The Enchanted Lantern Walk, featuring local schools and community groups, will then make its way from the square to Castle Gardens for a preview of Lisburn's Light Trail.

This will open daily from 16:00 until 20:30 from Friday 21 November until Monday 22 December.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Ballymena is a popular spot to watch the light switch on

Ballymena will kick off the borough's Christmas lights switch-on displays, with a parade taking place throughout the town on Saturday 15 November from 18:00.

Larne's festivities on Friday 21 November will culminate with the Christmas lights being switched on at 19:30.

Music and carolling will be the main feature at Carrickfergus's switch-on event on Saturday 22 November at 17:00, with a fireworks display over the promenade wrapping up the day.

Mid Ulster District Council

Christmas light switch-on events take place across the five main towns in the area:

Cookstown - Friday 21 November from 18:30

Magherafelt - Saturday 22 November from 14:00

Dungannon - Saturday 29 November, with the switch-on scheduled for 19:30

Maghera - Saturday 29 November from 15:00, with the light up expected at 17:30

Coalisland - Sunday 30 November from 17:00

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

Newry will kick off the borough's festivities, with live music and family-friendly activities planned for Marcus Square on Thursday 20 November from 18:00.

Santa and the council's vice chairperson will then arrive to light up the city at 19:30.

In Downpatrick, St Patrick's Square will become the hub for festive joy as the town's Christmas lights get switched on at 19:30 on Friday 28 November.