Ventnor is set to celebrate Christmas with a series of special festive events in the town today (Saturday, December 16).

Christmas Community Day and Carols in the Park will feature live music, a lantern parade, and carols in Ventnor Park, plus there are Christmas fayres at St Catherine’s Church and Ventnor Baptist Church.

The fayre at St Catherine’s Church is raising funds for St Catherine’s School.

Free parking will be available at Ventnor Town Council car parks in Dudley Road, Market Street and Pound Lane.

Live music from 12.30pm at Spring Hill Gardens will include Sionna Madden, Nelly Pickles, Shamblord Shanty Singers, Rev. Hugh Wright, Bethan John, and performing arts students from the Isle of Wight College.

Better Days Café will be hosting their Christmas choir and have live music with Megan the jazz singer and Ventnor Ukes, and will be serving Christmas food and hosting children’s crafts.

Santa will be touring the town and then taking his place in a town centre grotto.

Professional storyteller, Sue Bailey, will be hosting free sessions for children at Ventnor Exchange during the afternoon.

Ventnor Carnival Association is organising a best dressed window competition and a window spot competition with the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas.

The Lantern Parade, with awards for the winners, will assemble on the Green in Dudley Road from 4.30pm and make its way to Ventnor Park from 5pm – led by Santa and Ventnor Comic Jazz Band.

Carols in the Park starts at 6pm and will feature festive favourites, led by the Undercliff Singers and Abbey Brass.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be provided by Steve Read from Isle of Wight Defibrillators.

Santa will be making a prominent appearance. 

The event has been organised by Ventnor Carnival Association, Ventnor Enhancement Fund, Ventnor Town Council and St Catherine’s Church.

Ventnor Mayor Steve Cooper said: "The Christmas events are a real highlight in the town’ s calendar. It's fabulous to see the community coming together to celebrate Christmas."