It seems like only yesterday we guzzling down the last of our chocolate Easter eggs and then celebrating our remaining public holidays but Christmas is about to get in full swing.

The arrival of the “silly season” means a few things – longer evenings means more socialising as work Christmas parties and family barbecues ramp up and people enjoy each other’s company.

It also means the end of school and end-of-year exams for students, with classes packing up their text books and laptops for a long stretch of summer holidays.

On Friday, Launceston will ramp up its festive cheer with the annual Christmas tree light-up and late night shopping event.

The event, hosted by Cityprom, will see the large Christmas tree in a new spot in the middle of the revamped Brisbane Street mall, lit up in all its glory that will light Launceston’s CBD nights.

This year, the event will be held in conjunction with the Mad Hatters Festival, which will be held in the Quadrant.

The Mad Hatters Festival was postponed due to bad weather but its rescheduling provides a fortuitous message for residents heading into the season.

The advent of daylight saving means people feel there is more time to socialise in the evening, but with more social activities and events the change of incidents increases.

Anecdotally, at this time of year there are more crashes, fires and other incidents.

This can only be the result of more people moving about – and possibly the increase in alcohol consumption may also have a part to play.

If you are heading out to Cityprom’s event, or planning on attending the Mad Hatter Festival, or even a similar event now is the time to ensure you plan ahead and make sure you and your family arrive and participate safely.

Don’t be mad (or is that a Mad Hatter?) – there’s a reason we call this time of year the silly season.