The festive spirit came to East Ayrshire over the weekend, as fantastic Christmas events took place in Mauchline and Catrine.

Mauchline Community Association came together to switch on the spectacular Christmas lights on the cross.

A huge crowd gathered to see the switch-on and get the chance to meet Santa Claus, who had stopped in to see the lights.

READ MORE: Mauchline speed sign could be moved as councillor 'confident' over plans

Just down the road in Catrine, the magical ‘Make Catrine Sparkle’ event took place with hundreds of people lining the streets to join in on the annual event.

The event is run by Catrine Community Council in collaboration with Catrine Community Action Plan Group.

There was also a range of craft stalls which included both outdoor stalls based in Mill Square and indoor stalls based within the A.M. Brown Institute, Institute Avenue.

Cumnock Chronicle: Provost Jim Todd at 'Make Catrine Sparkle' (Image: Provost Jim Todd)Provost Jim Todd at 'Make Catrine Sparkle' (Image: Provost Jim Todd) (Image: Provost Jim Todd)

Loads of people enjoyed the fantastic events, including local Labour representatives Cllr Linda Holland and MSP Carol Mochan.

East Ayrshire Council Provost Jim Todd was also invited along to the celebrations.

Ms Mochan said about the festivities: “It was a pleasure to enjoy Christmas celebrations in my home area of Mauchline and it felt as if for the first year in a while we were getting past some of the worst fears from Covid, even if we must all remain careful.

Cumnock Chronicle: Cllr Linda Holland, left and MSP Carol Mochan, right, at the switch-on in Mauchline (Image: MSP Carol Mochan)Cllr Linda Holland, left and MSP Carol Mochan, right, at the switch-on in Mauchline (Image: MSP Carol Mochan) (Image: MSP Carol Mochan)

"Hundreds of families and residents came out into the streets to see the celebrations and remind us all of the importance of sticking together during tough times.

“Equally, Make Catrine Sparkle was a fantastic event that lit up the skies with lanterns and filled the air with music. The community put so much work into making it special for the kids and many of us bigger kids enjoyed it a great deal too.

“It’s wonderful to see such an effort from everyone in East Ayrshire. It really makes you proud to live and raise your family here.”