The festive fun will kick off at 6pm when Newmarket mayor Cllr Jane Bailey will light the new 25ft Christmas tree outside the Rutland Arms Hotel, followed by a prayer from the Rev Max Osborne, vicar of All Saints' Church.

Activities will be spread across the town including traditional stalls in the High Street selling items such as chesnuts, sweets, gifts, toffee apples and a hog roast as well as small rides for children aged between two and eight.

Mother Christmas will also be walking along in stilts handing out sweets to youngsters.

In the Guineas Shopping Centre a number of community and charity stalls will be held, festive carols sung by Churches Together and Newmarket School of Dance will stage ballet and tap demonstrations.

Santa will have his grotto inside Palace House with free visits for children, along with craft stalls, mulled wine and mince pies also available to visitors.

Newmarket shop windows will be adorned with festive decorations for a best dressed window competition run by the town council, which will be judged by Cllr Warwick Hirst and two pupils from St Felix Middle School.

Staff will also be joining in the fun for a best dressed staff competition, with judging from Cllr Keith Bovill and pupils from Scaltback Middle School.

Other activities at the event include a merry-go-round outside Moons Toymaster with a magic show inside the shop, demonstrations from the Pink Panther Cheerleaders and large fairground rides on the Market Square.

Kay Dawson, of Newmarket Town Council, said plans to move the tree this year to the Clock Tower Plaza were not feasible but would definitely go ahead next year.