Coromandel Town is getting ready to flick the switch with the return of the Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights this weekend.

Illume is now in its second year and is a free, family-friendly and fun two-day festival which celebrates the heritage and flavours of the Coromandel with spectacular displays and events.

This weekend the Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights returns to Coromandel Town for two days of family friendly fun. Photo: TCDC

The festival gets underway this Friday night with the Big Turn On which sees all the lights switched on and Coromandel Town's main street lit with lanterns, colour, projections and fun installations.

There will also be a huge selection of night markets with stalls, ranging from food to arts and crafts, plus live street music and performances from 6pm.

Then on the Saturday night there's a 12-minute fireworks performance by a professional pyrotechnic before a street parade of illuminated floats and performer, also starting at 6pm.

The night markets will take place again on Saturday along with street performers, a children's Frozen zone and live music.

The festival will run rain or shine.

For more information about the Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights and for a full timetable visit: www.illumefest.co.nz