Bury St Edmunds will have added sparkle this Christmas as new lights and decorations are being added to this year’s display.

The first opportunity for people see the lights glisten will be at the switch-on event on November 21 which is organised by Business Improvement District (BID) group Our Bury St Edmunds.

This year the lights display will cost a total of £30,000, which is funded by Our Bury St Edmunds through its member businesses.

Our Bury St Edmunds chief executive Mark Cordell said: “This year I think Bury St Edmunds will look its brightest since the BID became responsible for the illuminations in 2010. We have invested in 14 new lights on Angel Hill and St Andrew’s Street South and I understand that the Arc [shopping centre] has also purchased new lights for its display.

“In addition I have arranged for a special Christmas light to be put up in Cannon Street where we have two voluntary BID members in The Old Cannon and Pea Porridge. This additional light is outside their businesses and will have its own switch on celebration event the following day from 5pm.”

Attractions at the switch-on event on November 21 include penguins, reindeer and donkeys in a special enclosure outside SmartStep on Abbeygate Street and a full stage programme of acts near Moyse’s Hall Museum.

There will also be a range of stalls and attractions throughout the town centre following the event’s official opening at 2pm.

The lights will be switched on by Father Christmas, X Factor contestant Tasha Pyne and BID chairman Andrew Speed

Parking for the event and all subsequent Thursdays in the run-up to Christmas will be free in town centre car parks from 3pm.