Old Christmas tales and modern festive fun will come together for an exciting day of events in Weymouth.

Weymouth and Portland Lion’s Club and Weymouth BID have unveiled plans for their brand-new event ‘Weymouth’s Christmas Present…with a hint of Christmas Past.’

The town centre is set to come alive on Saturday, December 1 with plenty of activities happening throughout the day.

The main attraction will be a giant snow globe outside Debenhams in New Bond Street Square where children and adults alike will be transported into a winter wonderland.

Santa will be in his grotto in Cineworld, a giant Christmas tree will light up the Square and there will be performances on stage throughout the day. There will be entertainment at both ends of St Mary Street and along St Thomas Street, including carol singing and a storyteller cave where children can hear Christmas tales. Ebenezer Scrooge will also try to tempt children with humbugs and cuddly toys.

The event will be opened at 10am by the Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Cllr Gill Taylor, who will lead a children’s Christmas and nativity parade featuring one of Weymouth’s very own donkeys.

Stalls will be selling Christmas products, and a children’s lantern parade around the town in the afternoon will end in the Square, when the Mayor will switch on the Christmas tree lights.

Weymouth BID chairman Richard Lamb said: “We’re all really excited about this and we are very pleased that the Weymouth and Portland Lions Club agreed to organise this event on our behalf.

“We want the shops to become involved too. We will be encouraging all sorts of things they wish to do, such as competitions, fancy dress and festive window dressings, and I know that an amusing Elf Hunt is already being organised, which is fantastic.

“I am confident that the day will be a great success and a spectacular start to the Weymouth Christmas shopping experience.”

Weymouth and Portland Lions president Roger Hogbin said they are “delighted” to be organising the event.

He said: “We organise events such as this to enable us to raise money...and to encourage fun and enjoyment in the community.”

A creative Christmas poem about the event, written by organisers, can be found on the Weymouth BID Facebook page.