Rye is all set for amagicalFestival

The High Street will be closed all day and people will be able to enjoy mulled wine, carol singing and hot chestnuts.

There will be a fairground in the Cinque Ports Street car park and entertainment in the High Street as well as a Christmas Market at Strand Quay.

There will be a shuttle service running from 2pm onwards from the Gibbets Marsh car park to the town centre and another into the High Street for those with mobility problems.

Entertainment gets underway from noon and at 5pm Father Christmas will lead a procession through the town before taking up residence in his grotto at Rye Museum in East Street.

Other attractions include a nativity with real animals in Church Square, a punch and Judy show, a Book Fair in the Buttermarket in front of Rye Town Hall and craft activities at Rye Museum.

Buckswood School will be presenting their Midsummer Night’s Dream pop up theatre around the town and there will be a magician and other street entertainers.

The Festival is the most ambitious Christmas event in Rye for many years and has been organised by Charlotte Lyon of Rye Chamber of Commerce.

The Mayor will give a speech and draw a £1,000 raffle outside the George at 7pm.