GET ready for the festive season in Buffalo City, with a series of events ranging from an inaugural carnival in Mdantsane, the annual carnival in East London and the switching on of festive lights in East London and King William’s Town.

The events kick off on Saturday, 6 December with the switching on of festive lights at East London Esplanade on the beachfront at 5.30pm. It is the turn of King William’s Town the next day, where the festive lights will be switched on at the corner of Alexandra and Taylor streets at 5.30pm.

Both events will include live entertainment and fireworks displays from 7pm until 9pm.

The City has advised pet owners to look after their pets during the two hours of fireworks.

The festive season activities will continue with a series of Christmas Carnivals in King William’s Town, East London and Mdantsane - the latter hosting a Christmas carnival for the first time.

“This is to make people part of the festivities and also to profile Mdantsane as a tourism destination and attract people there to experience the warmth of its residents,” said the portfolio head for local economic development, tourism and rural development, Mankomo Pango.

The three carnivals will cater for the whole family with activities such as live entertainment, fashion shows, stalls, demonstrations, sports, competitions and car shows. According to a media release, the purpose of the carnival is to stimulate local economic development, particularly that of previously disadvantaged individuals.

“This programme also seeks to promote and profile hospitality establishments and other attractions in the area.

“Mdantsane is a hub of sports activities that have produced world sporting legends and has a rich history, culture and heritage that [will interest] visitors,” Pango said.

Residents, visitors and young people in particular have been urged to take part in the events.

Also on the cards is a Summer Hitwave Tour at Mdantsane City, a kids cycling challenge in King William’s Town, a Homecoming Jazz Festival at Buffalo Park, the Kidds Beach Festival at Kidds Beach and the Coca-Cola mobile shop with live entertainment at both Nahoon and Eastern beaches.

“In what has been a generally challenging year for the man on the street, we hope that our people will enjoy the festivities and take pride in their city,” said the municipal spokesperson, Samkelo Ngwenya.

Locals should come in numbers in support of these events, which were aimed at encouraging them to love and appreciate their city.

The City would also ensure that visitors had a safe festive season with a high number of traffic officers deployed at various stations “to ensure a safe and a less congested city”, said Ngwenya.