SANTA Claus is coming to town this week to kick off a celebration of the festive season in Basingstoke town centre.

The 12 Days of Christmas Festival starts on Friday, November 24, when Santa will tour the town centre ahead of the grand switching on of the Christmas lights in Festival Place, The Malls and the Top of the Town at 6pm.

In Festival Place, Santa will host a children's tea party in Debenhams at 4pm, before a parade to Porchester Square to see the centre's brand-new Christmas lights go on.

A host of celebrity look-alikes, including Elvis, Tom Jones and "The Beetles", will also appear at the festive event.

Families can then enjoy a host of entertainment in the following days, including meeting Santa and his reindeer, a traditional Victorian carousel and daily children's storytime sessions at Basingstoke library in Festival Place.

One of the highlights of the event will be an appearance by TV food stylist Karen Taylor and wine expert Joe Wadsack, who appears on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, to show shoppers how to eat and drink well this Christmas.

Anyone looking to buy Christmas gifts and treats will be spoilt for choice with Festival Place's gift and craft fairs, and the Charter market, farmers' market and French market being held in the Top of the Town.

The grand finale of the festival will be held on December 5, when visitors to the town centre can enjoy festive entertainment and carol singing.

For more information, visit www.basingstoketowncentre.co.uk or www.festivalplace.co.uk

Some of the highlights of the 12 Days of Christmas include:
Friday, November 24
Santa visits the town centre from 4pm; Victorian carousel in Market Place, at the Top of the Town; Christmas lights switched on at 6pm.

Saturday, November 25
Gift and craft fair in Porchester Square, Festival Place, from 10am to 8pm; Charter market in the Top of the Town.

Sunday, November 26
Nativity petting zoo in Festival Square, Festival Place from 11am to 3.30pm; Santa and his reindeer in The Malls from 11am to 3.30pm.

Monday, November 27
Christmas gift fair in Festival Place from 10am to 8pm.

Tuesday, November 28
Christmas gift fair in Festival Place; Peter Pan and Captain Hook in The Malls.

Wednesday, November 29
Christmas gift fair in Festival Place from 10am to 8pm; Charter market in the Top of the Town.

Thursday, November 3
Christmas gift fair in Festival Place; French market, Market Square, at the Top of the Town, from 9am to 5pm.

Friday, December 1
Christmas gift fair in Festival Place; Punch and Judy in The Malls.

Saturday, December 2
Artist Samantha Brian making elves and fairies in Porchester Square, Festival Place, from 10am to 5pm; Punch and Judy in The Malls; Charter market in the Top of the Town.

Sunday, December 3
Artist Samantha Brian making elves and fairies in Porchester Square, Festival Place, from 10am to 5pm; elf and fairy school in Basingstoke Library at 10.30am, 12pm and 3pm; Punch and Judy in The Malls; farmers' market in the Top of the Town.

Monday, December 4
Advice from TV food stylist Karen Taylor and wine expert Joe Wadsack in Festival Place from 11.30am.

Tuesday, December 5
The 12 Days of Christmas finale with carol singers throughout the day.