FINAL preparations are being made for this weekend's Christchurch Christmas Festival.

The lights have been strung and tree assembled for Saturday's festive extravaganza in the town centre.

Stalls at a Christmas market will start at 10am and continue until 8pm. Live reindeer will be in Saxon Square from 2pm and the Santa's parade starts at Priory Gates from 4.30pm.

The Christmas lights switch on event will take place at 6pm.

This year there will also be an Alpine bar in Saxon Square, which will be open from 12noon.

The volunteer-led event will also include a Christmas grotto.

Christchurch Baptist Church will also hold a 'Get in the Picture' event from 2pm until 4pm.

It is a chance for the whole family to dress up and pose in their own Christmas story, as a shepherd, wise man, Mary or Joseph.

And there will be live donkeys at the venue as well.

Along with all the festive activities, there will also be street food, mulled wine and choirs and bands playing live music.