Festive shopping is set to return to a popular seaside visitor attraction and is promising to be its “biggest and most magical year yet”.

The festive marketplace at the Harbour Arm in Folkestone will launch on November 17 and will showcase more than 50 local independent businesses.

It will be open each Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve.

Now in its third year, this year’s Folkestone Festive Marketplace promises an “even greater spectacle” with a host of attractions and events including a new Harbour Grotto.

This promises to put a “maritime twist on the festive classic” housed within The Customs House and celebrate the heritage as a bustling port.

Visitors can expect to be “immersed in a winter wonderland of stunning decorations, a selection of free festive films, an exciting lineup of entertainment, extended opening hours, and even a chance to meet the big man himself”.

James Davies, operations manager at Folkestone Harbour, said: “We’re gearing up for a Festive Season at Folkestone Harbour quite unlike anything we’ve held before.

“By building on the success of the previous two years and with the substantial developments we’ve made into building more indoor options to help visitors extend their stay.”

The opening of six new indoor restaurants this year means visitors will be able to shelter from the weather and “warm up over a roast at Sailbox, a hearty, seasonal small plate at Brewing Brothers or even a fish curry at Little Rock”.

Mr Davies added: “2023 promises to cement our reputation as a destination whose winter offer is just as strong as its summer period and further our mission of reinventing the English seaside experience.”

The marketplace will open 4pm-8pm on Fridays and 11am-6pm at weekends.