Retailers hope the seasonal spending spree will have a little more sparkle this year as they kick off the official start of

Christmas shopping with late night opening this Friday in Hamilton.

After the official turning on the lights, Santa will lead shoppers through the streets ? and past the open stores whose owners hope that residents will listen to their campaign to ?Buy Bermuda?.

Reid Street stores have pulled out all the stops this year, with extra decorations and enticing window displays aimed at getting shoppers in through the doors.

And Royal Naval Dockyard is getting in on the festive spirit ? and opening on Sundays with many of the Harbour Nights vendors opening up stalls on December 7, 14 and 21.

In Hamilton lower Reid Street and Queen Street will be closed off to traffic and local retailers will be putting on special events to mark the first of four Friday late night shopping nights.?The streets really look festive and wonderful,? said Diane Gordon, head of the Chamber of Commerce. ?It is gorgeous.

?The retailers have really pulled out all the stops and we think this year will be a great success.?

The Chamber of Commerce is backing the Buy Bermuda campaign, which Mrs. Gordon said will feature prominently during the festive season.

The stores will be open from 6pm to 9pm and stores are planning events ? Stefanel is planning a fashion show and the Phoenix Stores will have a host of special events to mark the nights.

?We at the Chamber will be supporting the Dockyard Sunday shopping,? said Mrs. Gordon. ?From 12 noon to 6pm at night, the stores will be open and a lot of the Harbour Nights vendors will be going to try and sell their wares.

?If it works, it will be great for Dockyard. Everyone is pulling together this Christmas and we all want the retailers to do well this season.

?There is a buzz out there in the streets and we are hoping that people will come out and see what there is to offer. There is a lot the stores are offering and we hope that everyone will Buy Bermuda this year.?