We found footballers visiting Wigan Infirmary, Father Christmas dropping into Wigan town centre, Christmas fairs, nativity plays and more.
This selection of photographs covers 1976 to 2010 and is sure to get you into the festive spirit.
5. RETRO: How Wigan residents have celebrated Christmas over the years
Phoebe Robinson and Nicole Williams at the Christmas fair at the end of Enterprise Week at Westfield Community School, Pemberton Photo: Nick Fairhurst
6. RETRO: How Wigan residents have celebrated Christmas over the years
Coun George Fairhurst, left, in Standish with business people Steve Parr, Christine Martin, Martin Ainscough, Ian Thompson, Liza Stapleton and Shirley Taylor, who helped pay for Christmas trees and lights on buildings around the village Photo: Nick Fairhurst
7. RETRO: How Wigan residents have celebrated Christmas over the years
Wigan College pre-care students with soft toys they made for Christmas treats for youngsters Photo: Submitted
8. RETRO: How Wigan residents have celebrated Christmas over the years
Millbrook Primary School, Shevington's key stage one nativity A Christmas Story, for which the children wrote their own script Photo: Nick Fairhurst