A SPARKLING winter wonderland of stars, lanterns, Christmas puddings, trees and presents will light up the night sky next Friday when Christmas comes to Petersfield.
With just one week to go, the coundown is on for a cracker of a Christmas party as Petersfield hosts its spectacular three-day extravaganza.
Thousands are expected to flock to the town to enjoy the fun and pick up that perfect gift for loved ones.
The list of events in the town is a magical Christmas menu of non-stop entertainment for the whole family, from carolling choirs, roasted chestnuts, magnificent continental-style and local markets, and the centrepiece of a special synthetic skate rink, making up what is set to be a hugely successful three-day spectacular.
The fun starts on Friday morning, with town centre and adjoining roads closed from from 8am until 8pm on Sunday to allow for the change of scene and give free access to the crowds all weekend.
Santa will already be in residence in his grotto in The Square and street entertainment takes place right the way through the afternoon and early evening. It includes a mixture of activities guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of expectant children everywhere and even the most harassed of mums and dads.
Everything from special events in Petersfield library to a tea dance in the market square and the TPS jazz band will help build the excitement to the moment when the lever is pulled to switch on the town's Christmas lights in a special ceremony which starts at 6pm in The Square.
Christmas songs from the TPS choir will set the magical scene, while the sounds of several local bands will end the evening's entertainment.
On Saturday, the tempo moves up yet another notch with street entertainment and lots going on all day from 10am until 6pm.
On the bill is busking by a variety of entertainers, Santa's Grotto, Mother Christmas with her life reindeer and elf, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, wine tasting, face paining, and myriad local bands who will take to the stage in The Square.
Sunday provides another chance to see many of Saturday's Christmas activities and much more besides, with a finale of Christmas songs from Liss Brass Band between 3.30pm and 4pm.
Organisers East Hampshire District Council hope Petersfield Christmas Festival will attract thousands of people to shop in the town and enjoy a raft of festive entertainment.
District councillor Richard Millard, who initiated the event, said: "Petersfield town centre is going to be packed out over December 5-7, with market stalls lining the High Street, Chapel Street and Lavant Street while 20 picturesque chalets will stretch around St Peter's Church.
"This event has been designed to have as broad an appeal as possible. We have Santa's train taking trips to his grotto, stage acts, street entertainers, more shops, chalets and stalls than you can visit in one day and, the centre-piece of it all, the skate rink in The Square."
As well as meeting Father Christmas and taking a ride on his train children will also be able to meet one of his reindeer and enjoy a Nativity scene.
Local businesses have already been keen to associate themselves with the event with many hiring stalls or sponsoring the major attractions.
The event runs from noon to 8pm on Friday, 10am to 6pm on Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Tickets for skate rink sessions are available from the Taro Leisure Centre at Penns Place throughout this weekend.