Louth motorists warned of road closures in Dundalk town centre for Frostival

"This means no traffic will be permitted through Market Square and it is required to facilitate the stage assembly, fun fair set-up etc. and safety of the public attending Frostival throughout the day time," the Dundalk BIDS office, who are organising the festival have stage.

There will be further road closures on a number of streets on Sunday afternoon to facilitate the Carnival of Light parade which is expected to attract thousands of people to the town centre.

These rolling road closures will take place from 4.30pm to 7pm and will impact Griffith Court/ The Laurels, Church Street, Yorke Street, Clanbrassil Street, Batchelors Walk, Market Street, Market Square, Crowe Street, Roden Place, Francis Street, Upper Park Street, Rampart Lane, Riverlane, The Demesne/ Magnet Road and Longwalk Road

All roads along the route will reopen directly after the parade, with the exception of Market Square – restrictions will remain in place until approximately 8pm.

The Carnival of Light is the highlight to the two day Frostival, which marks the start of the festival season in Dundalk, with the arrival of Santa and switching on of the Christmas tree and lights on Sunday evening.

The Christmas Market will run both days, starting at 11am on Saturday, with a mini Funfair at the Market Square. A new feature of this year's festival is the Toy Box of Wonders, an animated show for children celebrating favourite childhood characters which takes place between 5pm and 7pm on Saturday.

Large crowds are expected to gather in the town centre on Sunday for the magical Carnival of Light Parade.

Those travelling by car are advised to be in town and parked well in advance, by 4.30pm at the latest, to avoid traffic congestion and to be mindful of the street closures.