Barry's Christmas market, organised by Holton Road traders, returns to King Square bigger and better this weekend – with twice as many stalls to browse.

From 11am on Friday, around 40 different businesses will be offering everything from candles to candyfloss as part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council's Christmas Lights switch-on event.

There will be a host of stalls providing food, including preserves, chutneys, pizza, pies, cupcakes and a hog roast, with others selling cosmetics, clothes, toys, ceramics, jewellery, art, books and much more to help spark gift ideas.

The market is also open on Saturday and from 6pm will be illuminated by Christmas Lights switched on by Ruth Jones, aka Vanessa Shanessa Jenkins of BBC programme Gavin and Stacey fame.

Afterwards Central Park is set to host an open-air cinema where there will be a free showing of festive favourite Home Alone at 6.30pm.

Phil Chappell, Vale of Glamorgan Council Operational Manager for Regeneration and Planning, said: "This year's Barry Christmas market will be larger than ever with stalls selling a wide variety of seasonal produce.

"Whether you're after the perfect gift or some festive food, there should be plenty of choice on offer, with local legend Nessa switching on the lights before a special showing of Home Alone.

"As a Council, we have worked hard alongside local traders to encourage people to our town centres. Hopefully Vale residents will come out in force to enjoy what promises to be a magical weekend and really give these businesses a boost. This is just one of a series of Christmas events the Council is supporting in the run up to the festive season."

Cowbridge's Christmas event also takes place this weekend, with a three-day Christmas market (Friday to Sunday) in the Duke of Wellington Car Park and Reindeer Parade on Sunday (12pm).

And there is further festive fun to have across the Vale as Santa comes to High Street Barry on Friday, November 29, where there will be live music, entertainment and Lee Selby turning on the Christmas lights at 7pm.

A day later, live music, a lantern parade and a Christmas market will lead up to the lights switch-on at 6pm in Llantwit Major.