It's Christmas!

Hunstanton's Winter Wonderland Light Switch On.

Walking towards the town centre - you can feel and hear the buzz of excitement.  There's live music, food, school choirs, a dog Christmas jumper competition, snow, a celebrity book signing, angels on stilts, alpacas - and even Santa's taken time out of his busy schedule to make an appearance.  

It's hard not to get into the festive mood.

Father Christmas at the Princess Theatre

"I've seen a tree decoration I'd like to buy," says Natalie, who's here with her one year old browsing the High Street - which is lined with craft stalls.

Lucy from GG's Treasures has a table and says, "It's been lovely, the atmosphere's been great - having the high street full has been really nice, seeing lots of people about."

Everywhere you turn there're Christmas outfits - and it's not just people, but dogs too.  You can't help but smile.

Dog Christmas jumper competition

Dog or Reindeer?!

I take the opportunity to warm up a bit in book shop 'Right Around The Corner', where actress Stephanie Waring (Hollyoaks) is busy signing her new book and has spent the day enjoying Hunstanton.

"I'd love to come in the summer! But it's beautiful, nice to meet the locals - everyone's been lovely."

Stephanie Waring, with book shop owner Adrian Eden

Then it's back out into the cold - and as I turn the corner towards The Green I'm met by three angels, two of them are on stilts.

"I've done it for ten years, it does take some experience," says Kirsty, "You get used to it though and then it comes naturally."  

Rebecca adds, "It's so lovely - it's nice to see the community come alive, lots of people out - the weather's perfect for it tonight, so everyone's in really good spirits."

Rebecca, Kirsty and Lisa from Ruby Flames Entertainment

As they have photos taken with delighted children, I hear Your Choir take to the main stage, and the crowd sings along.

Throughout the day there have been performances from a number of local schools, including Smithdon and Glebe House.

Glebe House School Choir

I get to chat to Hunstanton Primary children before they perform. 9 year old Morgan says, "I'm a bit nervous but a little bit excited." Freya who's also 9 tells me,  "I'm excited for Christmas and I love singing."

About 25 pupils then join Your Choir, and sing some popular numbers, including Last Christmas.

Teacher Gemma Tandy adds, "This is I think the third or fourth year we've done this. It's just a lovely event and obviously just starts Christmas off doesn't it." 

Hunstanton Primary performing with Your Choir

They end on Merry Xmas Everybody and after a big round of applause - it's time.

Paul Baker from KL1 radio starts the countdown from 10, and as we get to 1 the town's lit up.

Christmas has officially arrived in Hunstanton!



What a wonderful day it's been - a big thanks to all those involved in organising it.

And after all that Christmas cheer, I'm finally motivated to get the decorations out of the loft!

All images Ian Burt