Festivities will be in full flow when the Great Malvern Christmas Festival makes a return later this month with a special theme.

On Wednesday, November 29, to mark the 125th birthday of much-loved author, C.S. Lewis, who had connections to The Malverns, elements of the festival will be inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia.

Aside from the themed festivities, attendees can anticipate seasonal activities such as Santa’s grotto, Christmas markets, festive entertainment, and Malvern Theatres’ pantomime stars switching on the town's Christmas lights on Saturday, November 25.

 

 

Read more: TripAdvisor top five Worcester restaurants for 'cheap eats'

 

 

There is also a variety of activities planned, including a lantern parade, an animatronic polar bear, face painting, and a guided literary walk by lecturer Dan Johnson dedicated to Mr Lewis.

From Friday, November 24 to Thursday, November 30, the Great Malvern Gas Lamp Trail can also be explored, which will take visitors on a tour where they will see many restored gas lamps famed for supposedly inspiring the iconic Narnia scene.

Participating shops will join in by displaying a stencil of a gas lamp in their windows, which will create a festive display.

The author is linked to the town having attended Malvern College on a scholarship in the early 1900s, and the grounds are rumoured to have inspired several key elements in the Narnia series, including the famous lamp that signaled the point past which the mysterious land's magic begins.

Cllr Beverley Nielsen, portfolio holder for tourism and economic development at Malvern Hills District Council said: "I cannot wait to see the wonder and magic of Narnia come to life in Great Malvern.

"We are so lucky to have such a rich history and connections to so many much-loved literary figures.

"The Christmas Festival is a perfect way to celebrate what would have been C.S. Lewis’s 125th birthday, and it will be a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to enjoy a whole host of festive activities."

The Great Malvern Christmas Festival is organized in partnership with Malvern Town Council and Malvern Hills District Council.

For a complete programme of events, visit www.visitthemalverns.org/christmasfestival.