Children with their home made lanterns joined the parade led by the panto cast of Rapunzel, alongside dancers, performers and stilt walkers.
They walked from St Mary's Church to the lights switch-on in Market Square.
VIDEO
Entertainment included music from The Garden, Moonshine Coyote and Darren Stammers with Brown Paper Bag, and the MC was Stuart Vant, chairman of Saffron Walden Town Football Club.
Santa was in his Grotto, welcoming families.
Saffron Walden Emporium held a three day gift market in the Town Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on Sunday, the town had Fair in The Square, with a variety of Christmas markets and another free Santa’s Grotto.
Coming up:
Sunday November 28: Meet the author. Rachel Morris will be giving a talk on 'How to make a museum out of your own life' and signing copies of her book The Museum Makers, Saffron Walden Museum Shop, 2pm-4.30pm. Admission: £2.50 adults, £1.25 concessions, under 18s free. See www.saffronwaldenmuseum.org
November 28: St Mary’s Church Saffron Walden, Advent Carol Service, 6.30pm
December 3 and 4 : All day markets, Emporium gift and craft fair at the Town Hall
December 3: Late night shopping organised by Saffron Walden Initiative
December 4: The usual SWTC market
December 5: Emporium gift and craft fair all day at the Town Hall
January 2022: The panto Rapunzel will be performed in the Town Hall.
Gallery
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Daniella, age three, waiting for the Saffron Walden lantern procession to start]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Daniella, age three, waiting for the Saffron Walden lantern procession to start")
Daniella, age three, waiting for the Saffron Walden lantern procession to start (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go in Saffron Walden ahead of the lantern parade]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go in Saffron Walden ahead of the lantern parade")
Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go in Saffron Walden ahead of the lantern parade (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go for the Saffron Walden lantern parade]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go for the Saffron Walden lantern parade")
Lanterns 'lit' and ready to go for the Saffron Walden lantern parade (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Santa arriving to switch on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Santa arriving to switch on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights")
Santa arriving to switch on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: The Lantern procession makes its way from St Mary's Church to Saffron Walden Market]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: The Lantern procession makes its way from St Mary's Church to Saffron Walden Market")
The Lantern procession makes its way from St Mary's Church to Saffron Walden Market (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: The lantern procession moves down Saffron Walden's High Street]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: The lantern procession moves down Saffron Walden's High Street")
The lantern procession moves down Saffron Walden's High Street (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: County High School Choir sing festive carols at the Saffron Walden lights switch on]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: County High School Choir sing festive carols at the Saffron Walden lights switch on")
County High School Choir sing festive carols at the Saffron Walden lights switch on (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: A young lantern bearer in the crowd in Saffron Walden, ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: A young lantern bearer in the crowd in Saffron Walden, ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on")
A young lantern bearer in the crowd in Saffron Walden, ahead of the Christmas lights switch-on (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: MC Stuart Vant takes a selfie just before the Christmas lights switch on in Saffron Walden]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: MC Stuart Vant takes a selfie just before the Christmas lights switch on in Saffron Walden")
MC Stuart Vant takes a selfie just before the Christmas lights switch on in Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: The countdown to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights, with Santa's chief elf, Santa, Saffron Walden mayor Richard Porch and MC Stuart Vant]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: The countdown to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights, with Santa's chief elf, Santa, Saffron Walden mayor Richard Porch and MC Stuart Vant")
The countdown to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights, with Santa's chief elf, Santa, Saffron Walden mayor Richard Porch and MC Stuart Vant (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Saffron Walden's Market Place was filled with families who came to see the Christmas lights switch on]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Saffron Walden's Market Place was filled with families who came to see the Christmas lights switch on")
Saffron Walden's Market Place was filled with families who came to see the Christmas lights switch on (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Two dazzling participants from Ruby Flames Entertainment took part in the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on event]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Two dazzling participants from Ruby Flames Entertainment took part in the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on event")
Two dazzling participants from Ruby Flames Entertainment took part in the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on event (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: A mum shows a young child the joy of the Christmas tree in Saffron Walden]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: A mum shows a young child the joy of the Christmas tree in Saffron Walden")
A mum shows a young child the joy of the Christmas tree in Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Penny Farthing's Hoop School provide a display at the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Penny Farthing's Hoop School provide a display at the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on")
Penny Farthing's Hoop School provide a display at the Saffron Walden lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Mayor Richard Porch who helped to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Mayor Richard Porch who helped to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights")
Mayor Richard Porch who helped to turn on the Saffron Walden Christmas lights (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Beatrix, 20 months, asks Santa for a kitten, Saffron Walden]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Beatrix, 20 months, asks Santa for a kitten, Saffron Walden")
Beatrix, 20 months, asks Santa for a kitten, Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: Amelia, seven, asks Santa for a LOL Surprise doll, Saffron Walden]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: Amelia, seven, asks Santa for a LOL Surprise doll, Saffron Walden")
Amelia, seven, asks Santa for a LOL Surprise doll, Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
![Saffron Walden Reporter: William says he doesn't mind what Santa brings him, Saffron Walden]( "Saffron Walden Reporter: William says he doesn't mind what Santa brings him, Saffron Walden")
William says he doesn't mind what Santa brings him, Saffron Walden (Image: Copyright © 2021 Celia Bartlett Photography. All rights reserved)
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