Christmas is coming and a variety of festive events take place in Maidstone this weekend.

Santa makes a grand entrance at Notcutts Garden Centre on Sunday morning.

He is due to arrive at Newnham Court at 11.30am by horse-drawn carriage. Youngsters will get the chance to take tea and breakfast with the big man and burn-off the calories afterwards by taking a spin on a Christmas Ice Rink.

Poinsettias and homemade cakes will be among the usual Christmas gifts and cards on sale at the United Reformed Church in Week Street, Maidstone.

Saturday’s event is organised by Hi Kent, the charity for the deaf, and opens from 10am to noon.

The appropriately named St Nicholas Church in Allington stages its Christmas Fair on Saturday from 10am to 3pm.

Father Christmas will be making an appearance at the Poplar Grove venue which also offers a tombola, a raffle and plenty of festive craft ideas.

A Christmas sale in aid of Heart of Kent Hospice takes place at Langley Village Hall on Sunday.

Toys, bric-a-brac stalls and a host of knitted goods will be available to visitors from 1.30pm.

St Mary’s Church in Sutton Valence hosts a Christmas Fair from 2.30pm on Saturday.

Entry costs £1 and all proceeds go to the church in Chart Road.