Celebrity chef Daniel Clifford will turn on Dunmow’s Christmas lights on Friday, November 27.

Mr Clifford, who owns two Michelin-starred restaurant Midsummer House in Cambridge, is reopening the Flitch of Bacon pub in Little Dunmow.

The evening, which will be held at Market Place will run from 5pm to 7pm.

The night will also feature market stalls and live music, including performances from the group 33 RPM, Great Dunmow Primary School Choir, The Dunmow Windband, The Granary Dance School, Great Dunmow Theatre Dance Group and Shola K who will sing Motown.

Children are invited to visit Father Christmas for a picture and a present at the Scrumptious Tea Rooms from 5.30pm, but booking is essential.

Dunmow will also be hosting a Christmas market on December 6, organised by The Arts Centre.

The Dickensian-style market will see log reindeers, Indian cuisine and a continental section fill High Road and the town square from 11am to 3pm. What’s more, The Arts Centre will be running Santa’s Grotto in the Saracen’s Head throughout the day.

Jacky Rom, director of The Arts Centre, said: “This is our third year and we are hoping to get around 2,000 people. We’ve had more requests for stalls than ever this year. Over 1,200 people have already said they’re coming on our Facebook page.”

Stansted Mountfitchet will be holding its own market too, complete with a tree and 24 stalls. The event will run from 10am to 5pm on December 5 at Crafton Green on the top of Chapel Hill. The Christmas lights in Great Dunmow are being crowd-funded this year. People who make pledges can buy items from Great Dunmow shops at discounts. More pledges and more donations from businesses are invited. For more, email Greatdunmowtownteam@gmail.com