There’s a couple of months to go, but it’s already beginning to look a lot like Christmas for shoppers.

The 2019 festive season will be intu Watford’s biggest one to date, with an extravaganza of decorations and family fun.

Here we reveal what’s in store:

Christmas lights switch on

The celebrations begin on November 17 with the Watford BID Light Switch On, when the whole town centre will come together for a magical start to Christmas.

Thousands of lights will illuminate the town all at once – through the streets and at intu Watford – transforming the town centre into a winter wonderland. There will be entertainment, refreshments and live music.

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Santa’s grotto

On November 20, Father Christmas is back. He will be wrapped up cosy in his Nordic Winter Wonderland log cabin, along with his helpful elves. Families are invited to visit everyone’s favourite sleigh-rider in his grotto where they can take ‘elfies’ and receive an early Christmas gift.

Magical colour-changing tree

The colour-changing, LED Christmas tree will return to its spot outside Next from November, where it will help raise money for Home-Start Watford. Every time someone donates, they’ll be able to choose which colour the tree should change to, while supporting families in need.

Give A Gift

intu Watford’s Give A Gift campaign encourages people to buy a gift for someone in need and donate it by posting it in the centre’s giant gift box.

And don’t forget Black Friday on November 29.

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The £180million redevelopment of intu Watford has seen a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment make their way into the shopping centre.

This includes Hollywood Bowl with a 14-lane alley and arcade. It also has a Cineworld with nine-screens and uses IMAX technology.

One of the restaurants that has come to the centre is French cuisine chain, Cote Brasserie.

Instagram lovers will also be pleased to know they are catered for at the restaurant and cocktail bar, The Florist, inspired by floristry.

Late night Christmas shopping was kicked off at the beginning of the month with a glitzy VIP night.

Model and DJ Vogue Williams was at the decks to provide the soundtrack for intu Watford’s event, held to celebrate the centre’s new, longer opening hours.

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Vogue, who starred in television shows Dancing with the Stars and Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, is married to Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews and is sister-in-law to Pippa Middleton.

She also has her own show, Spencer, Vogue and baby Too which follows their journey through parenthood.

Visitors at the October spectacular also enjoyed vintage games and prosecco.

Vicki Costello, centre director, said: “This was the most incredible, engaging event that continues to shine a light on our newly-refurbished and extended shopping centre. We continue to deliver unique experiences and events for our shoppers during the year and this saw thousands of people smiling, dancing and shopping.

“Thank you to everyone who came to help celebrate.”

Fashion blogger Bonnie Rakhit spent the evening giving out styling advice and talking through the hottest autumn/winter trends.

All retailers, including MAC, Lush, Boux Avenue, Thomas Sabo, John Lewis and Debenhams were involved in the celebration.

The new hours will see the shopping centre opening until 8pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday giving visitors more time for festive shopping.

intu.co.uk/watford