Christmas officially begins in Halstead this week.

The lights switch on and Christmas fayre will get the festive season underway on Saturday.

From 10am to 4pm there will be entertainment from a street magician, amateur dramatics group Stane Street Players and Melford Silver Band.

Visit Weavers Court to see performances from Halstead's primary schools, Jackson School of Dancing and Abigail’s Performing Arts.

Pop into Halstead Library at 11am or 2pm for children's story time and craft activities.

Many shops will be hosting activities and giving special offers and promotions on your Christmas shopping.

Premier Travel will be hosting the Christmas fayre raffle - £1 tickets are available now, until 3pm on the Saturday.

First prize is £100 and there also other great prizes up for grabs.

Halstead History Society will be offering its popular history tour of the town from 11.30am, starting at the museum in The Causeway, and Halstead in Bloom will be giving its first tour from 1.30pm, starting at the old Post Office forecourt.

Write letters to Father Christmas at the Letter to Santa Station in the East Anglian Children's Hospice shop, then meet the man himself at Santa’s grotto in Green Glaze Windows.

Or Halstead Town Team, which organises the fayre, will post the letters to Santa, who should send replies to all the children via a Royal Mail service.

Both the letter station and grotto will remain open during December.

Halstead Town Council is hosting the Christmas lights switch on in Halstead Public Gardens in Trinity Street at 4.30pm.

Mayor David Hume and nominated children from each of the three town primary schools will do the honours.

Then to round the day off, Halstead and District Chamber of Trade is hosting a meet and greet in Holy Trinity Church where visitors can help the Holy Trinity tree sparkle from 5pm.