ABINGDON’S Market Place will come alive with Christmas cheer on Saturday as the long-awaited Christmas Extravaganza lights up the town.

Thousands of people will gather to watch local musicians sing festive favourites, enjoy a pig roast washed down with a glass of mulled wine, and indulge in some Christmas shopping.

Businesses, charities and community groups will line Bath Street with stalls. There will be a Punch and Judy show and donkeys from the Island Farm sanctuary at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

At noon, spectators can watch a parade through the town centre featuring Father Christmas, the Oxford Caledonian pipe band and Morris dancers.

Youngsters from Abingdon Youth Ballet will perform a dance based on Disney’s popular film Frozen, with Elsa and Anna played by 14-year-old Emily Grindey and Eve Barrett, 13.

The event will reach a crescendo in the Market Place with the Christmas lights switch-on at 5.30pm, followed by a fireworks display.

This week families are on the hunt for marmalade sandwiches belonging to Paddington Bear, hidden around the town.

Whoever finds the most by 4pm on Saturday will help Paddington switch on the lights. Entry forms are available at Added Ingredients, Simon’s News and on the Abingdon Chamber of Commerce website.

Paul Townsend, a member of the chamber which is organising the extravaganza, said an exciting announcement would be made after the fireworks.

He added: “People come from far and wide to see family and watch the lights switched on. It is bringing in people from outside Abingdon.

“It’s a great day to have a walk round and maybe visit some of our great independent shops.”

There will be free parking all day in council car parks.

For more details, visit abingdonchamber.co.uk.