CHRISTMAS fun and activities will take place at the festive Christchurch festival this weekend.

The event on Saturday will start with a charity Santa Run from Christchurch Rowing Club on the quay.

The mile-long course runs around the Quomps, Priory and Castle before finishing on the Captain's Club terrace.

Entry is £16 for adults and £11 for children, which includes a Santa suit.

In the town centre, the market will take place between 10am and 7pm with a variety of food, drink and Christmas gifts on sale.

Music and entertainment will take place throughout the day in Saxon Square and through the town, with the Priory Church also holding its Advent Fair and Christmas crafts from 10am until 6.30pm.

The library will also be holding card and decoration making activities from 2pm until 3pm.

In Bargates, Christchurch Baptist Church will have craft activities as well as a chance for youngsters to be photographed with donkeys.

Santa and his reindeer will arrive at Peeks Partystore car park in Reid Street at 4pm and will process down Bargates to arrive in the High Street at 4.30pm.

Santa will then take his reindeer down to the Priory Church where the reindeer can be petted and children can hand in their Christmas wish letters.

This year there is a new candle-lit route to see Santa and the reindeer. It starts from the gates opposite the Kings Arms Hotel in Castle Street and not from the Priory gates.

The Christmas lights switch-on will take place in the High Street at 6pm with panto characters from the BIC’s pantomime, Snow White.

For more information go to the website christchurch.christmas or on Facebook at christchurchchristmasfestival.