Town centre bosses have announced who will help switch on Colchester's festive lights display this year.

The light switch on for the town centre decorations will take place on Sunday, December 1.

Pop star Tallia Storm will join Colchester Mayor Nick Cope and Santa to mark the official start of the season.

The songwriter and reality TV star will perform at 4.30pm.

Other entertainment on the night will include stilt walkers and live performances before the lights are turned on at 5pm.

Tallia said: “I can’t wait to perform in Colchester. I come and shop locally quite often, the town centre has a huge amount to offer.

“I am so excited for Colchester to see my performance, the vulnerability, the sensitivity and the confidence.

“I want all my ladies in the audience to feel confident and empowered after a Tallia show.”

Gazette:

Once her performance is over Tallia, who was the fifth most Googled act in the world in 2018, will assist in the light switch-on.

Mr Good said: “We’re delighted to be able to welcome Tallia to sing some of her new material as well as some well-known hits to help spread the Christmas cheer among our shoppers as part of our festive celebrations as we build up to Santa’s arrival and the big Christmas light switch on.”

Festive fans can enjoy a host of festive fun which kicks off at 2.30pm on the day.

In Culver Square there will be performances from Colchester Citadel Salvation Army, Colchester Military Wives and the Rock Choir from 11am.

Special guests Elsa and Anna, from Disney’s Frozen, will be in the centre for shoppers to meet before they switch on the lights and fill the square with snow at 5pm.

A week later, on Saturday, December 8, a Christmas market will take place, between 10am and 5pm.

There will be two Christmas trees adorning the town centre, while little ones can make the most of Santa’s grotto at Colchester Castle during December.

There will be free parking in council-run car parks after 3pm on the three Wednesdays running up to Christmas Day - December 4, 11 and 18.

Car park payment machines will be covered and marked “out of use”, to make it easy for drivers to take advantage of the offer.

Free parking for the Christmas Market on Sunday, December 8 will also be available all day in Butt Road, Middleborough, Napier Road and Sheepen Road car parks.

Motorists will also be able to take advantage of the Sunday parking offer in Britannia car park that day and park all day for £1.

For more information on all the festive events taking place visit incolchester.co.uk.