A FESTIVE parade will bring the Christmas spirit to Southend this weekend.

Southend Business Improvement District has organised the Christmas celebration for today  (Saturday) with a packed programme of events throughout the day.

Organisers say the event will be the biggest of its kind, with events kicking off at noon with face painting in the Royals and Victoria shopping centres.

There will also be a lantern making workshop at the Royal.

Six reindeer will pitch up in Pier Hill from noon for people to see.

Then at 4.30pm, the festive parade starts from Royal Square and will weave up the High Street to Victoria Circus. The colourful parade will include dance groups, the cast of this year’s festive pantomime and Santa.

Dawn Jeakings, chairman of Southend Business Improvement District, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to take a lead on bringing more festive fun to Southend. Even in this day and age, kids still see the magic of Christmas and everyone on the business team wants that sense of joy and wonder to spread throughout the town centre and seafront.

“The parade is another opportunity to bring friends and family together and into Southend.

We’ve got a jam-packed schedule of free, top-quality entertainment that will appeal to parents and children, young and old alike.”