Father Christmas was the inevitable star of the show as he rode into Colchester town centre for the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-on spectacular.

Colchester revelled in a carnival atmosphere of bands, choirs and street performers on Sunday.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mayor Gerard Oxford at the Colchester Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: SEANA HUGHESMayor Gerard Oxford at the Colchester Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

From 11am, visitors were able browse shops, from big name brands to quirky independents, and enjoy the buzz created by brass bands and choir singers while mingling with magical street performers.

East Anglian Daily Times: Elves enjoying the snow in Colchester High Street. Picture: SEANA HUGHESElves enjoying the snow in Colchester High Street. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Santa then rode into town for the festival showcase outside Fenwick and switched on the Christmas lights with mayor Gerard Oxford at 4.15pm, marking the official launch of Christmas in Colchester.

East Anglian Daily Times: Performers during the day at the Colchester 2017 Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: SEANA HUGHESPerformers during the day at the Colchester 2017 Christmas lights switch-on. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

Colchester MP Will Quince said on Twitter: “A short video snapshot of Colchester High Street immediately after the Christmas lights switch on this afternoon. Great to see town looking good and so busy.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Funky Voices perform in Culver Square. Picture: SEANA HUGHESFunky Voices perform in Culver Square. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Mayor Gerard Oxford switches the lights on. Picture: SEANA HUGHESMayor Gerard Oxford switches the lights on. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Santa at Fenwicks Colchester. Picture: SEANA HUGHESSanta at Fenwicks Colchester. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Santa arrives at Fenwick. Picture: SEANA HUGHESSanta arrives at Fenwick. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Colchester Christmas lights switch-on with Santa. Picture: SEANA HUGHESColchester Christmas lights switch-on with Santa. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Riley English with street entertainer. Picture: SEANA HUGHESRiley English with street entertainer. Picture: SEANA HUGHES

East Anglian Daily Times: Mayor Gerard Oxford with elves. Picture: SEANA HUGHESMayor Gerard Oxford with elves. Picture: SEANA HUGHES