A VICTORIAN market, giant snowglobe and fair rides will be just some of the attractions on the bill at Basildon’s first ever Christmas festival.

Entertainers, market traders and a raft of activities inside the town’s Eastgate Shopping Centre will also be on offer at the event on Saturday November 16, which will be rounded off with the switching on of the town’s festive lights at 6pm.

The festivities will also see the return of a giant Christmas tree – sponsored by the Eastgate – which will take pride of place in the Town Square.

The festival will also mark the start of a new partnership between the Eastgate Centre, Basildon Town Centre Management (BTCM), and Basildon Council who are all working together to put on the action-packed day of festive fun.

Ian Clark, Eastgate manager, said: “Eastgate has always invested heavily in getting Christmas off to a flying start.

“However, we view the Basildon Christmas Festival as the dawning of an exciting new era for the town.”

Tony Ball, Basildon Council’s leader, added: “I am delighted we are working in partnership with BTCM and the Eastgate Centre to deliver the best Christmas light switch-on yet.

“I am looking forward to it and also having a Christmas tree back in the town square for the first time in a number of years.”

BTCM general manager Hans Wustefeld added: “Together with our partners we are determined visitors to the Town Square on November 16 will enjoy the best possible Christmas launch and one of which Basildon will be proud.”

Full details of all the events taking place will be revealed in the next week. A celebrity is understood to be switching on the lights, but their identity is being kept under wraps.