Pantomime characters along with the mayor of Beccles will be lighting up the town next Friday ready for Christmas.

The Beccles Christmas lights switch on event will kick off at 5.30pm on November 27, with live entertainment on the main stage by Beach Radio.

And at 6pm, the crowds will come to a standstill as Beccles mayor Hugh Taylor and the cast of the town’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk switch on the lights, illuminating the town.

The fun will continue on the main stage throughout the evening with performances from Tom Elgie, Beccles Community Choir, Bellatonic, Cinnamon Tea and Beccles Rock Choir, along with a few surprise acts. There will also be street entertainment including the lively Suffolk School of Samba back by popular demand.

And for those wishing to do a bit of Christmas shopping, many shops will be staying open late and there will be a variety of stalls selling festive gifts, mulled wine and hot chocolate.

For the first time the Beccles and Bungay Journal will be running a stall in the town centre. The Journal team will be selling goody bags filled with a copy of the Beccles and Bungay Journal and Eastern Daily Press, along with chocolate, crisps and a packet of our exclusive Christmas cards featuring scenes of Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth and Loddon taken by Journal photographer Nick Butcher, along with a photo from our reader winner Keith Kerrison and student winner Katey Oven. The goody bags will be just £1.

To keep the children entertained there will be fun fair rides, reindeer and Father Christmas will be taking up his usual residence in his grotto in the Church Tower.

Running alongside the switch on is the popular Hungate Church Christmas Tree Festival. Tere will be over 50 trees decorated by a variety of groups, businesses and individuals. The tree lights will be switched on at 6.15pm after the town’s main lights, by Mr Taylor and children from the 1st Beccles Rainbows. The church will stay open until 9.30pm, and will reopen the following day, Saturday, November 28, from 9.30am to 4.30pm and on Sunday, November 29 from noon to 5pm. Admission costs £2 for adults, with accompanied children free. The Stable Cafe will be open serving drinks, light refreshments and lunches and some proceeds from the festival will be used to support the work of local groups and charities including the Mayor’s Appeal and Beccles Christmas Lights.

There will also be a Skate Fete in Blyburgate Hall and a live music open mic evening at the Public Hall.

Parking will be free in all Waveney District Council car parks from 4pm.

For more information visit www.beccleschristmaslights.co.uk