Bridport will get into the festive spirit tomorrow as a popular event returns.

Bridport Christmas Cheer returns on Wednesday, December 4, and will take place from 3.45pm to 8pm.

The festive event will include the all-exciting light switch on for the market town, which will be held at 6pm by the mayor, Cllr Anne Rickard.

There will be more than 50 stalls featuring a selection of arts and crafts, charities, organisations and local food. Stalls will line the streets as well as inside Bridport Arts Centre and the Town Hall.

During the event, free parking will be available in all Bridport Town Centre and Dorset Council car parks in the market town.

Local school choirs will be singing carols in Bucky Doo Square in 15-minute slots. The choirs will appear in this order from 3.45pm: Bridport Primary, Bridport St Mary’s, Symondsbury, Burton Bradstock, Loders, Powerstock, St Catherine’s and Salway Ash.

This will be followed by a full programme of entertainment and live music in the square including the Bridport Rock Choir and Strawberry Jam. The Bridport Christian Fellowship Carol singers with tea and mince pies on East Street from 4pm.

Bridport businesses and hospitality venues will also be opening late to welcome customers, as well as the museum.

Santa and his sleigh are also set to make a special appearance through the night.

The Bridport United Church Christmas Tree Festival will also take place from December 4, and run through to December 15.

As well as this, the Perfect Pirouettes will perform a Christmas ballet show.

The Cheer event also means that the Christmas Shop Window Competition is returning to the town with businesses encouraged to get involved and embrace the festive spirit.

Last year, the team at T. Snook Hatters and Outfitters in West Street received the cup for Bridport’s Best Christmas Shop Window from the former mayor, Cllr Ian Bark. The shop was chosen for the accolade by a community vote.

All town retailers and businesses are automatically entered into the competition and the winner is voted for by local residents.

Bridport residents are also being encouraged to dress up their doors to welcome the Christmas cheer.

To enter, all you need to do is take a photo of your decorated front door and email it across with your name, address and contact details to Bridport.tic@bridport-tc.gov.uk by Friday December 13. The winner will receive a Christmas hamper. To vote please visit www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk or collect a voting slip from Bridport TIC. The closing date is Friday, December 13.