NEXT weekend sees the return of the Great Malvern Christmas Festival.

The event returns for the first time since 2019, having been cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Held in the grounds of Great Malvern Priory, the event includes live music and street performers, arts and a food market.

There will also be a Christmas grotto, carol singing and an animatronic polar bear roaming the streets.

The event kicks off at 10am and continues until 6.30pm, reaching its peak with the Christmas lights switch on at 6pm.

Children will have the chance to meet Father Christmas in his grotto at Great Malvern Library with festive music and activities.

The Morgan Routemaster Bus will also be in front of Belle Vue Island, together with retired police dogs and an animatronic polar bear.

The Great Malvern Christmas Festival has been organised by Malvern Hills District Council in partnership with Malvern Town Council, Boffy Arts Markets, Great Malvern Priory and Great Malvern Library.

There will be carol singing after the lights switch on as well as other live music from the likes of Duke’s Jazz Society, Marie McNally on the saxophone and Mike Skillbeck.

This year, the official lantern parade will not be taking place, but 100 craft lanterns and LED candles will be available to pick up prior to the event for free from Malvern Tourist Information Centre, Austin & Co, Iapetus and Malvern Hills Gallery. 

Contact the Tourist Information Centre on 01684 892289 or visit www.visitthemalverns.org/event/great-malvern-christmas-festival for more information.