CHRISTMAS in Colchester this year will undoubtedly be a little bit different due to coronavirus.

But there are still lots of plans in place to bring a touch of festive fun to the town centre.

Festivities will kick off on Tuesday, when the town's Christmas lights will be switched on.

There is no event to mark the occasion in the High Street this year, however, there will be a virtual light switch on event run by Our Colchester Business Improvement District (BID).

Retailers reopen their doors the following day for Christmas trade, and shoppers will be welcomed back into the town centre with a host of activities to enjoy and sites to explore.

A 6m tall bright-pink Christmas castle has been installed in Culver Square Shopping Centre, designed and created by the Mercury Theatre's freelance team.

Lion Walk Shopping Centre has also create a winter garden for shoppers to enjoy.

For the first time ever Firstsite gallery, in Lewis Gardens, will be home to an ice skating rink.

The BID team has created an Elf Workshop in Culver Square and Santa's Post Office in Portal Precinct, where youngsters can post their postcards for Santa.

Postcards can be picked up from various locations around the town centre or downloaded online.

A host of festive traders are also set to join Colchester Market in the run up to the big day selling some special festive wares.

Despite coronavirus restrictions, the big man himself, Father Christmas, will be visiting the town.

Youngsters can meet him, and give him their Christmas lists to him in person, at Fenwick, Lion Walk's winter garden and Colchester Castle in the run up to December 25.

The BID has also worked with Colchester YMCA to offer free gift wrapping for shoppers in the town centre.

Here is the full list of what is on:

  • New Christmas lights from Colchester Borough Council across the town
  • Further light installations from Our Colchester BID in Crouch Street, Eld Lane and St Johns Street
  • Culver’s Squares Magical Christmas Castle
  • Lion Walk Winter Gardens
  • Festive traders at Colchester Market
  • Visit the Elf Workshop in Culver Square
  • Visit Santa’s Post Office in Portal Precinct
  • The first-ever Ice Rink at Firstsite
  • Visit Santa at Fenwick and Colchester Castle and Lion Walk
  • Elf and Safety walking entertainment
  • Free Gift wrapping on Culver Street West

A promotional video for Colchester town centre this Christmas can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV7NTYB-_S0.

To find out more, visit christmasincolchester.co.uk.