WITH Christmas just round the corner, an Oxfordshire town has started to prepare with several events taking place over the festival season.

A live advent calendar, Christmas card competition, and a winter wonderland are just some of things to look forward to in Wallingford.

The live advent calendar event will feature a new window decoration revealed in the town every day next month.

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People will be encouraged to get out into the town and look for the newest display. A full map and locations will be released on November 25.

To take part in the window display, email waterside.activities@barchester.com by November 18.  

Mayor Marcus Harris will also be holding a Christmas card competition this, open to all ages with the theme ‘winter wonderland’.

People are encouraged to paint, draw, or create a card and the winner will be used as the Mayor’s Christmas card this year.

All entries will be displayed in the town hall in Market Place during the Christmas light switch on event on Friday, December 2.

Drop entries off to the town council office in Castle Street by November 18.

The light switch on event will be from 5pm to 7pm with the switch on at 6pm.

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Another competition taking place is the winter wonderland shop window competition. A prize will be presented to the business with the best dress window.

There will also be a Christmas Gift and Craft Extravaganza at Wallingford Sports Park on Friday, November 18 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm

It will feature local business stalls, a charity raffle, mulled wine, a bar and there is free parking on the day.

Also holding a market is Waterside Court Care Home on Saturday, November 19 from 2.30pm to 5pm.

Guests are welcome to enjoy refreshments and browse a variety of local stallholders. There will also be live entertainment from saxophonist Alan Hook from 3pm to 4pm.

A third market will take place in Wallingford Market Place on Sunday, December 4 from 10.30am to 3pm.

Making a return this year is the iconic Polar Express experience at the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway.

For more information, visit: cholseythepolarexpressride.com/

A ‘United Charities Bazaar’ is taking place on November 26 in St Mary’s Street from 10am to 1pm and will include lots of charitable organisations from across the town selling Christmas goodies.

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Style Acre charity, which supports people with learning disabilities, is also hosting a ‘Santa Dash’ on Sunday, December 4 from 11.30am.

The 3km run is hoped to feature hundreds of Santa ‘lookalikes’ to raise money for the charity.

For more information on events, visit: wallingfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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