CHRISTMAS will arrive in Colchester this evening with a bumper evening of festive fun planned.

This year's event will see plenty going on across the city centre.

Festive market stalls will be in Culver Square and later in the day.

Culver Square will be turning its Christmas lights on at about 4pm.

One of the main attractions of the evening will be the Festive Light Parade, which was a big hit last year.

Our Colchester BID will lead the Light Parade and City Centre light switch on, which will start at Mercury Theatre and end at the iconic Firstsite building with High Street Christmas lights switching on as the parade progresses on its route.

It is due to start at the Mercury Theatre from 5.30pm, and finish at Firstsite.

The parade is likely to finish closer to 7pm, rather than 6pm.

As the parade makes its way through the city centre the festive spirit will ignite the Christmas lights on the route, expect a sparkling town hall, the main Christmas lights being illuminated and key buildings along the route sparkling with lights.

A Christmas Market will be at full capacity along Culver Street East, giving shoppers an early chance to pick up a number of once-in-a-lifetime gifts.

Lion Walk, Mercury theatre and Actual Radio will keep crowds warm with a packed programme of entertainment before a sensational firework display will mark the moment Lion Walk’s Christmas lights start to sparkle.​

The evening's centrepiece will take place at Lion Walk shopping centre, where a captivating lights show will take place to mark the moment the city’s Christmas lights are switched on for 2024.

There will be entertainment on offer from 5.30pm onwards involving live music from Jupiter Ray – the band which took Sam Ryder to stardom – whilst Snow White will be on stage with special guests from the Headgate Theatre.

Colchester Has Talent winner, 12-year-old Ivy May, will also be performing whilst bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics, Lewis Richardson, will appear on stage alongside the set from the Mercury Theatre’s pantomime as part of the big switch-on.

When the switch is finally flicked for the Christmas lights, which is expected at about 7.30pm, onlookers will be dazzled by an Aurora Borealis light display which will fill the night sky over Colchester city centre.

Schools will be participating in the parade including, Lexden Primary School, North Primary School, Colchester Prep and High School, Roach Vale Primary School, Millfield’s School, Hamilton Primary School, St Thomas More School and Heathlands School.

They have all been working with the Mercury Theatre to produce festive lanterns to illuminate the high street.