Santa and other celebs start the festive countdown

He may most often be depicted flying through the air, but Scarborough residents know there is only one way Santa likes to travel – by boat.

For over 30 years his seaborne arrival at Scarborough Harbour, inspired by the town’s fishing heritage, has marked the beginning of the Christmas season.

Santa will be cheered into the harbour at 10.30am this Saturday, November 16.

Once on land, Captain Claus will lead a colourful parade of panto stars and mischievous elves to Boyes on Queen Street, home to his magical Grotto, where he’ll be greeting children every day between 12 noon and 5pm every day up to (and including) Christmas Eve.

Prior to his arrival, the town centre will start to sparkle at the Christmas Lights Switch On tonight (Thursday November 14).

Celebrities Chris Gasgoyne, best known for playing Peter Barlow in Coronation

Street, and Twinnie Lee Moore, actress and rising country music star, will be lighting up the town centre.

Entertainment will start at 4pm and continue to 7.30pm.

Spectators will be entertained by the cast of Cinderella from the Spa, the YMCA’s cast of Jack and the Beanstalk and the Treasure Island cast from the Stephen Joseph Theatre.

There will also be performances from Magic Mike, Ryan Swain and Rachel Maneka.

Chris Gasgoyne and Twinnie Lee Moore will be signing autographs in the Brunswick Shopping Centre afterwards.

Both events are part of Scarborough’s new Counting Down to Christmas Festival which has been created to make Christmas shopping fun.

The festival has been organised by local businesses with funding from the Yorkshire Coast Business Improvement District (BID).

For more information about Counting Down to Christmas visit www.scarboroughchristmas.co.uk.