More than 120,000 people are expected to descend on Bury St Edmunds over four days as the town’s popular Christmas fayre got underway yesterday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Youngsters with their lanterns. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTYoungsters with their lanterns. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

All the action began at 2pm as visitors got the chance to view more than 300 stalls in eight locations around the town centre.

Large crowds enjoyed a host of opening night celebrations, including a parade with lanterns featuring Bury St Edmunds schoolchildren from the Arc shopping centre and an East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) carol concert at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Westley Campus signing choir at the EACH Carol Concert in the Cathedral. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe Westley Campus signing choir at the EACH Carol Concert in the Cathedral. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Fireworks at Abbey Gardens capped the opening night in style as crowds enjoyed a spectacular display.

The fayre resumes from 9am to 8pm today and Saturday, and from 10am to 5pm on Sunday.

East Anglian Daily Times: The firework display opening the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe firework display opening the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

This year’s event is expected to attract record crowds with a wealth of music, entertainment, and stalls available for all the family.

Sharon Fairweather, event manager, said: “It does help to show off the town and all it has to offer and what a wonderful place it is to live which should make us feel proud.

East Anglian Daily Times: Schoolchildren lead the lantern parade from the Arc shopping centre to the Angel Hill to open the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTSchoolchildren lead the lantern parade from the Arc shopping centre to the Angel Hill to open the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

“There’s a lot of people who work very hard and help us to make this such a great event and one of the top 10 fayres in the country.

“We know it does cause some displacement for people but hope the town will come out and support us as this great event is on their doorstep.

East Anglian Daily Times: Schoolchildren lead the lantern parade from the Arc shopping centre to the Angel Hill to open the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTTSchoolchildren lead the lantern parade from the Arc shopping centre to the Angel Hill to open the annual Christmas Fayre in Bury St Edmunds. Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

“It does show that Bury is such a wonderful clean place and a lovely place to live and many visitors wish they could have something similar in their towns and cities.”

Some of the finest chefs from across East Anglia will showcase their festive flair at the fayre with the star of the BBC’s Great British Menu Mark Poynton demonstrating among other top chefs at the event.

The cookery theatre, which takes place in the Cathedral Courtyard from today to Sunday will also feature 14 food and drink stalls.

John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said: “The fayre has so much to whet the appetite, not just in terms of the delicious food and drink that will be on offer, but music to feed the soul, fabulous stalls and some great local businesses including many of our brilliant independents who are worth visiting any time of year.”