last Friday saw the first of three Christmas Late Night Shopping events in Helston this year with festive fun had by all, want to make sure you know all the best spots for this Friday? Well, take a look through all the best bits from the first night.

The evening commenced with Nansloe Academy Children's Choir enchanting the audience with Christmas Carols. Santa introduced Helston Mayor Tim Grattan-Kane, who welcomed everyone and officially opened the Christmas Late Night Shopping.

Nansloe Academy Children's Choir (Image: Louise Down Photography)

Gareth Looker, Chair of Helston Chamber of Commerce (HCOC) and organiser of the event, thanked the sponsors and supporters before announcing the schedule of activities happening in between shopping.

Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street were lit up with Christmas lights and wonderfully seasonal shop windows. Many shops have gone to town with their Christmas window decorations. From Poundstretcher at the bottom of Coinagehall Street up to The Lady Eve Vintage at the top of Meneage Street, shops had special offers and festive gifts on display ready for shoppers to tick off their Christmas list.

Santa looking at gifts in the The Lady Eve Vintage (Image: Louise Down Photography)

At 5.30 pm, 42 The Living Room had unique and theatrical storytelling with visually stunning puppets supporting the narration. The atmosphere was Christmassy and cosy, the perfect family entertainment with short stories to set the mood and tone before shopping. Santa also called in to say "Ho! Ho! Ho!"

Storytelling at 42 The Living Room (Image: David Barrett)

Meanwhile outside by the Christmas tree next to Grylls Monument the Penzance Guizers entertained with their foot-tapping Cornish folk music and traditional dances, Helston Mayor Tim and Santa lead the dancing line.

Mayor Tim Grattan-Kane, Santa, and Gareth Looker (Image: David Barrett)

Further up Coinagehall Street at Fisherman's Mission, the shop was bustling with Children engaged in their special annual Christmas gift-wrapping activity.

Next to Bowdens Home Hardware, Wippletree Band performed while along Meneage Street, outside Boots, Helston Town Band serenaded shoppers with Christmas tunes.

The ladies of Acapella Sound sang Christmas classics and the street resounded with their sweet harmonies. Passing a lot more shops, next to The Lady Eve Vintage, in front of VW Garage forecourt the Helston Chamber Choir sang two sets of carols.

The ladies of Acapella Sound (Image: Louise Down Photography)

All of the entertainment was joined by 32 businesses along Meneage Street and Coinagehall Street participating in the first of three Christmas Late Night Shopping offering their best Christmas bargains.

We now look forward to the next two Christmas Late Night Shopping evenings on Fridays 16th and 23rd December from 5 pm til late.

The Helston Chamber of Commerce has said that by popular demand there will be more focus on the shops and their special offers than on entertainment. However, Santa will be back strolling along the streets and ready to welcome the young ones and take a photo.

Santa travels down the street (Image: Jean Slater)

The Nutcracker Trail will continue, pick up a Nutcracker map from Bowdens Home Hardware and track down ten shops that have a Nutcracker soldier displayed, then write down the names of the ten shops on the back of the map and drop off your map at Gilchrist Exotics to enter the prize draw to win a family pass to Flambards and a £50 gift voucher at your choice of participating store.

As you shop, ask for a FREE voucher to enter the lucky draw for the Deluxe Festive Hamper filled with Champagne, Prosecco, and lots of festive goodies.

Win a festive hamper