The day began in the Lurach Centre with Christmas decoration making, face painting and letter writing to Santa, before Santa took up residence in the Potting Shed at Maghera Walled Garden, where he greeted the children who had come to see him.
Friendly elves were on hand to entertain the crowds and the garden was lit up with a spectacular LED display and characters that provided plenty of opportunity for selfies and family festive pictures. Toasted marshmallows were on offer in the centre of the Walled Garden and Dragonfly Coffee Company kept everyone supplied with hot drinks and snacks.
At 5pm Santa was back on his sleigh, accompanied by the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry, to travel to Hall Street, where both carried out the count down to the switch on.
At 5pm Santa was back on his sleigh, accompanied by the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry, to travel to Hall Street, where both carried out the count down to the switch on.
![Face painting was popular at the festive event in Maghera on Saturday.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmIyNDBmNWM4LWFlMzYtNGM0Yy05YzFjLThkNTFmZTVjMjY5NjozMDg4OWE0Ni1iZDkxLTQ3ZDYtOThhMS04OTgzNjIxYTA5M2M=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Face painting fun
Face painting was popular at the festive event in Maghera on Saturday. Photo: Contributed
![Getting on some face paint at the festive event in Maghera.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI3ODlkNWM2LTg2ZDMtNDBhNy1iY2E1LTM4NDY3NjJiN2Q1MTozYzc5N2RkZC1hYzVlLTRhNWUtODZkMy01NTFjMGJkOGY3NjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Looking good!
Getting on some face paint at the festive event in Maghera. Photo: Contributed
![Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry pictured with some of those attended the Maghera switch on event.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjhlZGZiYWRlLTVjMDQtNDBjMC1hZDI0LWIzZjFhZWU3NzMxODo1ZjBlOGQwYy05ZDE4LTQ2MTMtYjE5YS0yNzhkN2UxN2NhMTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Festive cheer
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry pictured with some of those attended the Maghera switch on event. Photo: Contributed
![Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry pictured with some of the people who attended the event in Maghera.](https://www.northernirelandworld.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjliZDBjMGU2LWJlYzQtNDVjNC04YmFmLTVhYzBmMWYwYjdjNzoxMWViYjIzZS02ZTI4LTRmMDQtODFlMi05Njc1ZWUwNjdhNjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Having a great time!
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Córa Corry pictured with some of the people who attended the event in Maghera. Photo: Contributed