Cllr Barbara Johnson, chairman of Harborough District Council, flicked on the decorations to light up the town centre as darkness fell.
She was flanked by Cllr Phil King, the council’s leader, and Mark Robinson, chief executive of Market Harborough Building Society, as she did the honours.
Towered over by the town’s magnificent tree, hundreds of excited people flocked on to The Square on Friday evening (Nov 22) to cheer the age-old ceremony.
Here are some photos rom the event, taken by Mail photographer Andrew Carpenter.
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Roasted chestnuts...centre, Eliot Gray of Skegness with Keith and Hazel Francis. | jpimedia Photo: PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
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Local trader Sarah Godden of Jams and Jars Bramble Foods. | jpimedia Photo: PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
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Santa fun...Elle Martin, Isla Palfreyman and Charlotte Martin. | jpimedia Photo: PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
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Santa fun...Elle Martin, Isla Palfreyman and Charlotte Martin. | jpimedia Photo: PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER