Ljubljana, Koper and Maribor will launch the festivities this afternoon at around 5pm, followed by Velenje at 6pm, with Celje and Kranj following suit at the weekend.

The launch of the festive season will be accompanied by parties and cultural events, which will continue until the end of December culminating in New Year's parties.

In some towns, children and adults alike will be able to skate in ice rinks.

Ljubljana will also feature an exhibition of sculptures made of ice; the Land of Ice will focus on Ljubljana's past. Captured in ice will be Ancient Romans, architect Jože Plečnik's buildings and prehistoric pile dwellings from the wetlands around Ljubljana.

The festive programme in Maribor will bring dances by a student folk dance group, a dance of fire and light installations, while the Mozirski Gaj park in Mozirje will feature 1,5 million Christmas lights in different shapes.

As customary, kids will be able to go on a train journey to meet Father Christmas and fairies on board trains around the country until the end of December.

Father Christmas will be travelling with a 100-year museum engine, while fairies will take children to the Fairy Land in Celje on regular routes from Ljubljana, Maribor and Velenje.

In most of the towns organising Christmas Markets, Father Christmas or Santa will visit children with their processions of fairies and other magical creatures.