CHRISTMAS is here in Basingstoke.
The town's Christmas celebrations kicked off with 'Festive Friday' on November 15.
Love Basingstoke will be spreading Christmas joy and kick-starting the festive period in style at the Top of the Town this November from 5pm to 8pm.
Visitors to the Top of Town started their Christmas celebrations and enjoyed free activities, festive walkabouts, a market with local stallholders and music throughout the evening.
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Warming up for their performances in this year's Anvil Arts family pantomime, evil Carabosse and Nanny Nora will appeared by the Christmas tree in Market Place, they will both be starring in Sleeping Beauty at The Anvil throughout December.
Corvus Angelicus – two 10-foot-tall stilt-walking angels – spread love and light to everyone they met and a local DJ festive tunes outside The Willis Museum.
Free fairground games with a Christmas twist will test skills and provided a chance to win a prize. Children created their own countdown to Christmas clocks and local artist Louise Hight offered free festive craft sessions.
There were plenty of opportunities to sample festive treats from Top of the Town businesses and find unique gifts and treats for loved ones while supporting local independent businesses as part of a special Christmas market. Items for sale included candles, jewellery, sweet treats, local crafts and locally made baked goods including brownies.
Businesses in the Top of the Town offered foodie treats from outside their premises, including Gabardine and Chennai Express.
Ahead of the event, Councillor Kerry Morrow, cabinet member for sports, leisure and culture, said: "For families gearing up for Christmas, Festive Friday is the perfect way to kick-start celebrations with lots of entertainment and activities to get everyone in the festive spirit.
"Visitors can find treasures from local businesses and traders, make memories and get in the festive spirit with loved ones with lots of music, performances and free activities.
"This is just the start of festive events and activities taking place across the borough so don’t forget to keep an eye on the Love Basingstoke social media channels for more inspiration."
Following Festive Friday, Christmas events will be taking place in Festival Place, The Malls and around the borough. Find out more on www.LoveBasingstoke.co.uk.
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