It’s time to start feeling festive as the countdown to Christmas in Whitehill & Bordon will officially begin this Friday (November 22).

Town mayor, Cllr James Fryer, will have the honour of turning on Bordon’s Christmas Lights at 5pm.

The big switch-on is the highlight of a Christmas Extravaganza organised by Whitehill & Bordon Community Trust and Sacred Heart Church.

The fun will begin with the church hosting an evening of craft and food stalls with mince piece and lashings of mulled wine also on the menu.

There will also be a barbecue with Father Christmas himself also taking time out from his busy festive schedule to make an appearance.

Bordon Xmas Lights
Bordon's Christmas Lights will be turned on at 5pm this Friday by Cllr James Fryer. (Whitehill Town Council)

Donations and money raised from the evening will go to the Town Mayor’s Charities, Bordon Foodbank and Butterflies Bereavement.

Santa will return on his sleigh next weekend as he’ll be taking up residence in a grotto at Hogmoor Inclosure from midday to 6pm on Saturday, November 30.

Children can tell the man of the moment what they would like for Christmas after checking in with an Elf at The Beehive.

Organisers have allocated a 15-minute window for each session so guests don’t have to be tied to a five-minute slot. And if the grotto is busy then there will be a chance to make magic reindeer food while you wait.

Entry is free but tickets must be booked online with lunchtime and early evening spaces available at the time of writing.