SALISBURY will be transformed into a "celestial wonderland" as part of this year's festive plans, but the Christmas market is open for just four days.
'The City of Stars' is the theme for Christmastime and visitors can expect festive street installations, markets and pantomime performances.
The festive season starts with 'Christmas Begins' on Friday, November 17, which will bring fair rides, entertainment and vendors to Market Place.
The Christmas market is returning but it's only open on four Sundays leading up to Christmas, starting on November 26 and ending on December 17.
Comparatively, a full-scale Salisbury Christmas market ran for four weeks in 2018, Winchester's Christmas market is open for three weeks and six days and Bath's lasts two weeks and four days.
Frost Bar, managed by the Immersive Group, will also open alongside a variety of food vendors for the duration of the festive season.
Santa's Grotto will move to the Maltings Green Space this year to "ensure that Christmas activity is spread throughout the city" according to the council.
It will also avoid a repeat of last year's controversy when the grotto was installed behind the war memorial in Guildhall Square before Remembrance Day.
Read more: Santa's Grotto erected next to war memorial before Remembrance Service
The experience includes family photos, a North Pole postcard experience, a festive story, a selfie with Santa and a wrapped gift for every child.
Some streets will have snowfall thanks to Salisbury BID's pop-up snow machine.
Salisbury's medieval streets will be adorned with ‘stellar’ installations, inviting visitors to embark on a journey of sculpture and light.
Pick up a map from the Tourist Information Centre or download one online to explore these installations. The accessible trail is suitable for all ages, with plenty of opportunities for interactive experiences. Families can also enjoy the "Twelve Elves of Christmas" cheeky elf trail, throughout the city’s business windows, with proceeds benefiting the Stars Appeal.
The Salvation Army band is running a community carol sing-a-long around the Market Place Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.
A spokesperson for Experience Salisbury said: "There has never been a better time to head into our beautiful city, where tradition meets innovation this Christmas time."
For more information go to experiencesalisbury.co.uk.
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