Organisers of a festive Suffolk celebration say excitement is already building after confirming the return of firm favourites from last year’s event alongside a number of entertaining new additions.

This year’s Fabulous Framlingham Christmas Festival will feature a wide range of fun and games to complement the late night shopping on Friday, December 12.

Framlingham Business Association, which is organising the event for its second year, said it was about supporting the town’s retailers while offering the community a festive night of inexpensive frivolity.

Last year’s gathering was said to have packed The Market Hill with merry throngs of visitors – and FBA’s Christmas co-ordinator Fiona Mealings hopes for even more to attend after a major marketing campaign across social media.

“Twitter has been frantic,” she said. “It feels like there are lots of businesses sharing the message and the publicity is going really well.

“Everything seems to be coming together and people are starting to get quite excited.”

Popular attractions from last year, including the Ipswich Piping Society, will be returning to the Unitarian Church alongside shows from the Pop Chorus and Inquisiquest Puppet Theatre.

A selection of stalls selling garlands, decorations and offering table-top games will set up around the town. Santa will arrive by horse and cart and invite the children to share their Christmas wishes with him in his grotto and take a ride in his carriage.

A stage will be set up for Stephen Bayfield and Peter Holloway’s Christmas Cracker show as well as performances from The Rabble Chorus and Cheeky the Chimp. Cafés, restaurants and pubs will also be offering seasonal treats for shoppers. And a raffle with top cash prizes is being held. “We all look forward to welcoming you for a magical Christmas Festival with memories to last,” Ms Mealing said.