The Light Up Lawrence festival, now in its second year, was launched last night with the lighting of a tree in the town and a lantern parade to the hospital gardens.
Main street businesses and householders in the town have been stringing lights in preparation for the festival.
The aim of the celebration was about building new traditions and creating a fun event at a time of the year when it tends to be a bit dull, one of the organisers, Liz Forbes, said.
The main theme of the festival was the Light Up Your Place competition, which had two categories: people's choice and residential awards, Mrs Forbes said.
The festival programme includes story time at the library, a night at the museum with mulled wine, a mid-winter church service and the Lions change-over dinner.
There was also a mystery event to be held next Friday night, when some businesses would stay open.
