BARNSLEY’S Bright Nights Festival will return to the town on Friday.

The festival will start at 5pm with ‘The Barnsley Carol’.

The frontage of Cineworld will be transformed with a huge projected story show by artists Illuminos alongside a live Christmas choir from the Barnsley Singers in The Glass Works Square.

Performances will take place every 30 minutes.

An illuminated parade starring Strobilophones will take place on Saturday from 6.30pm.

Starting in Midland Street, the procession will weave its way down Eldon Street and end in The Glass Works Square.

Alongside the Strobilophones you can enjoy disco bike dancers, RSPB Birds of Play, the mythical Eldon Street Beast as well as a host of community groups journeying through the town centre.

Participating Bright Nights venues include The Glass Works, St Mary’s Church, Barnsley Civic, Barnsley College Old Mill Lane campus, Experience Barnsley, The Cooper Gallery, Library @ The Lightbox and the Alhambra Shopping Centre.

Coun Robin Franklin, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Barnsley Bright Nights is a special event for our town.

“It brings colour and creativity to our streets and unites our community. It’s wonderful to see everyone celebrating Barnsley through light and art.

“Events like this are important for our local economy and culture.

“They attract visitors from far and wide and show Barnsley as the vibrant and welcoming place it is.”