With shops full of gifts and decorations and several party invites on the mantelpiece already it must be nearly Xmas…!  Here’s our list of what’s on locally to help you plan your diaries:-

Eton Christmas Lights Switch On takes place this Thursday 22^nd November.  Starting with a Service in Eton College Chapel between 6.30-7.00pm and then a procession and Light Switch on at the Community Xmas Tree in Jubilee Square from 7.20pm.

Windsor Street Gallery is an open air fine art show taking place on Peascod Street, Windsor.  Open for browsing and sales on Sunday 25^th November between 11am and 5pm.

Carols by Candlelight will take place at Windsor Theatre on 28^th November from 8pm.  The Locrian Ensemble will perform Carols and Christmas tunes accompanied by strings, harp and West End soprano Jill Washington.  A great start to the Xmas season!

Windsor’s Farmer’s Market has been taking place since 2005 on St Leonards Road between the Firestation and East Berks College.  Saturday 1^st December 2012 will have a Seasonal theme with decorated stalls and advice for how to make Christmas dinner extra special.

Windsor’s most popular Christmas event returns also on 1^st December this year. You can see the LIVE Reindeer and Father Christmas on a sleigh parading through the Town Centre between 2pm and 4pm.  Children can have photos taken with Father Christmas on his sleigh before he returns to Lapland.

Windsor Emporium takes place on Sunday 2^nd December between 10am and 4pm at Windsor Guildhall.  A truly delightful and alternative Xmas shopping experience featuring hand produced Arts & Crafts.  There will also be a Vintage Tea Room serving homemade cakes and light refreshments.

Entry to The Savill Garden is free from 1^st – 31^st December allowing you to enjoy a variety of winter plants – gardens are open 10am-4.30pm.  There will be a Victorian Christmas theme in the café and Father Christmas will be visiting The Savill Building between 11am-4pm on 20th and 21st December (£5 per child – please book 01784 435 544 to avoid disappointment!)

Father Christmas will make his grand entrance on a festive horse and carriage at The Savill Building at 10.45am on 1^st & 2^nd, 8^th & 9^th, 15^th & 16^th, 20^th & 21^st December.  The carriage will then be available for all the family to enjoy.

Tickets are now available for Theatre Royal Windsor’s Panto – this year Jack and the Beanstalk will be showing from 5 December 2012 – 6 January 2013.  Starring Matthew Kelly, Bond girl Brit Ekland and playing Jack is pop star Anthony Kavanagh.  Contact Box Office for further details.

Carols on the Hill takes place at King Henry VIII Gate on Friday 14^th December from 6-7pm.  Join the Band of the Blues and Royals for a spot of carol singing in front of Windsor Castle.

Festivo takes place in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on Tuesday 18th December at 7.30pm.  Tickets remain for Quires seating only (no view); this popular programme features favourite carols, devotional readings and lighter seasonal items.

Finally, Alexander Gardens will once again be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with the arrival of the Christmas Ice Rink on 8^th December until 6^th January open from 9.30am to 10pm.  Windsor Ice will feature a private function room, Santa’s Grotto and a Victorian Christmas Market with evening entertainment.

Whatever your plans, AWL wishes one and all a wonderful start to the Christmas season.  www.accommodationwindsor.com.