A CHRISTMAS event in Malmesbury promises to be bigger and better than ever this year.

The town’s late-night Christmas shopping is being staged on Friday, December 6 from 6pm to 9pm, with more stalls and more activities for children.

Shops are opening late and streets will be lined with stalls, with more inside Malmesbury Town Hall in Cross Hayes.

The event will be formally opened by the mayor of Malmesbury, Councillor Phil Exton.

In total, there are 70 stalls this year, compared to 40 in 2023.

For the first time, stalls are being extended along Oxford Street because of extra festive lights.

The children’s activities area in the Cross Hayes car park outside Santa’s grotto will also have more attractions.

Additional changes have also been made following feedback from previous years.

More space has been created in the High Street and Oxford Street, while pinch points have been removed to enable people to move around more easily, visit the stalls and shops and enjoy the entertainment.

In addition, there is entertainment for shoppers once more, provided by children from Malmesbury Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, together with the town band, Morris dancers and more.

Free parking is also available in the Long Stay car park from 6pm.

The annual event, which draws hundreds of visitors to Malmesbury along with householders, is organised by Malmesbury Town Council and local business group Malmesbury Town Team.

Commenting on the upcoming evening, Cllr Exton said: “Our team of organisers and volunteers have done a great job extending the event this year.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our local people and visitors enjoying our town under the festive lights and the children being excited to see Santa.”

David Drake, chair of Malmesbury Town Team, said: “This is a great annual event that encourages people into our town centre and gives the town’s businesses a great start to trading in the festive period, whether that’s our independent shops or hospitality venues.”