BASILDON'S big town centre Christmas event returns tomorrow (Saturday, 17 November) with a host of entertainment.

The fun starts as early as 10am with activities and entertainment across the whole town centre including The Eastgate Centre, Town Square and St Martin's Square - where it will conclude with a fireworks display at 6pm.

The day will include rides, Santa's grottos in Eastgate and the market, food stalls, free festive mini-golf, and the famous Bavarian Market with German sausages and mulled wine on offer all day.

There will also be live performances on the Gateway 97.8 stage in St Martin's Square and in Eastgate, with acrobatic shows, dubstepping elves, comedy carol singing, and vintage vocal performances.

A major feature will be a parade taking place from 4pm, looping its way from the Old Robins Cinema, down to East Walk and back up to St Martins Square, arriving at 4.50pm.

It will feature illuminated animals made by Creative Basildon, which is part of Basildon's long term Arts Council England funded Creative People and Places programme.

Acts on the day will include Chaz and Dave tribute RABBIT RABBIT, Basildon Pride, and Basildon's own Aerial Allstars will perform four stunning shows.

Cabinet member for communities, Cllr Terri Sargent, said: "Basildon at Christmas will be a fantastic opportunity for the local community to come together, get in the Christmas spirit, and celebrate the very best of Basildon.

"There really is something for everyone to enjoy, so come along and don't miss out on all the fun." 

Some of the activities in the town centre will be for the Saturday only, but the Grotto in Eastgate, and the Bavarian Market in the town square (which includes the various food and drink stands as well as the free crazy golf), will be staying there until Christmas Eve.

The event is a partnership between Basildon Council, The Eastgate Centre, Gateway 97.8, Basildon Town Centre Management (BTCM), and BasildON Creative People and Places.