Father Christmas and Mayor Heather Asker will arrive in a sleigh to turn on Saffron Walden’s Christmas lights later this month.

Saffron Walden Reporter: The Christmas lights switch-on in Saffron Walden.The Christmas lights switch-on in Saffron Walden. (Image: Copyright © 2014 Celia Bartlett Photography)

The event will take place on Sunday, November 29, and conclude the town’s Christmas Fayre, which runs from 10am to 5pm.

Market stalls will stretch from Market Place to King Street, before the lights are turned on at 4.15pm in the square.

As part of the fayre, live music will also be on offer with performances from nearby groups including The Hooligans, Elliot Porter and Hyperfusion.

Continuing the festive spirit, Saffron Walden will also hold a Christmas shopping day on December 4 from 9am to 8.30pm.

Shops will be open late, and more musical entertainment is also being planned for the day.

Stansted Mountfitchet will be holding its own Christmas market complete with a tree and 24 stalls. The event will run from 10am to 5pm on December 5 at Crafton Green on the top of Chapel Hill.