Haverhill’s annual Christmas event to take on Carnival theme with parade down High Street and events in Queen Street and Market Square

A town’s annual Christmas event will have a carnival theme this year.

Each year Haverhill takes on a different themed festive event, and this year will see it host a carnival parade alongside a variety of craft stalls, live music, fairground rides, fireworks display and the all-important light switch-on on November 30.

Mahogany Carnival will lead the procession down the high street at around 4.15pm with a party atmopshere clad with brightly coloured costumes, dancing and music.

The parade will also feature Father Christmas and Mother Christmas in a sleigh accompanied by members of the area’s dance schools and community groups.

Once the troupe has reached its destination, the town’s Christmas lights will be switched on at the Market Square, which is expected to take place at around 5.15pm.

Andy Lake, from Star Radio, will compere the ceremony. The fireworks display will follow this at the Recreation Ground at 5.30pm.

Sara Marsh of Haverhill Town Council said: “We are delighted to be hosting a carnival themed Christmas event this year in Haverhill.

“We always strive to do something different and bold each year with our Christmas events, and this year’s carnival promises to be just that.”

Throughout the day, from 9am to 5pm, Haverhill Arts Centre will host a craft fair, with several stalls selling Christmas gifts, wooden crafts, hand-made jewellery and more.

There will also be a cake sale and raffle to raise money for St Nicholas Hospice.

At the same time there will be a maker’s market along High Street and Queen Street with more craft.

Also, there will be a host of fairground rides on Market Square and a walking nativity parade by Churches Together.