Christmas is just around the corner and Dover kick-started the festive feel with a winter wonderland approach on Saturday.

The lights were switched on in the Market Square at 5.30pm by the Town Mayor, Pam Brivio, and members of the cast of the Marlowe Theatre’s pantomime Aladdin as well as the Dover Community Radio.

There were a variety of festive events including a real reindeer in Market Square from 1pm as well as other petting animals.

Children visited Santa’s Grotto from 12.30pm organised by Dover Lions Club.

Entertainment on the main stage began at 12.30pm with performances from Dover Youth Theatre, CJ Dance and Fitness, Dover and Deal Sea Cadets and Landmark Show Choir.

A synthetic skating rink was set up by the War Memorial Gardens with fire-eaters, singers and jugglers in the Upper Precinct supported by Peter Nix Photography.

Residents also took part in Christmas workshops, including crafts and musical taster sessions at St Mary’s Parish Centre, Cannon Street, and the Winter Wonderland at the Charlton Centre with festive animals, singers and meet and greet characters.

For more pictures, see this week's Mercury, out on Thursday, November 27.