Residents can celebrate Christmas in Havering with a range of festivities and free events.

The fun is set to start with the annual Christmas Lights Switch on in Romford Town Centre on November 15.

Postman Pat and Jess the Cat will be appearing at intervals throughout the day.

Children will also be able to post their Christmas wish lists to Santa.

Santa himself, along with his friends Frosty The Snowman and Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer will be turning on the lights.

There will be a variety of entertainment throughout the evening with performances from Britain’s Got Talent finalists Twist & Pulse and Hope Murphy.

A finale of fireworks is due to light up the town’s skyline.

On Friday November 23, the Illuminating Elm Park Glowing for Gold 2012 event will allow visitors to experience the Olympic Spirit all over again with a special Christmas opening ceremony.

There will be carol singing, street magic, a Santa’s grotto and a celebrity lighting of the Christmas tree at 6pm.

The following evening, Saturday 24 November, Hornchurch’s Christmas Cracker festival will include entertainment and activities.

Children will be able to visit Christmas cracker stations and collect items to make their own personal cracker, before having their picture taken with Santa. There will be carol singing, street entertainment and free children’s rides. Pantomime characters from the Queen’s Theatre will be switching on the Christmas tree lights at 5pm.

Saturday December 1 will see Rainham’s Village Christmas Fayre.

Live entertainment will include Josh Dubovie and Miss Morgan, a gift fayre, art exhibition and street entertainers.

Residents will also be able to enjoy singing from school choirs, storytelling and the Lightnin’ Drama Group. Naturally Father Christmas will be making an appearance.

Harold Hill will be lighting its Christmas tree lights on Thursday December 6, at the Hilldene Shopping Centre.

Santa will be in his grotto and children will be given the opportunity to make their own Christmas decorations. There will be a carol service and the tree will be lit up at 5pm.

On Friday December 7 children will be invited to dress as elves after collecting different parts of the outfit from Elf stations, before meeting Santa to graduate as an official Collier Row Elf. Activities commence from 4.30pm and go on until 7.30pm.

Cllr Michael White, Leader of the Council said: “There really is something for everyone at this year’s events.

“I hope everyone will come along to one or more of these special festivities.”