LOVE Basingstoke has announced a range of free family activities to help with festive cheer this year.

The Borough Basket Street Market will return on Saturday, December and Saturday December 10 as a special Christmas indoor pop-up shop on the upper level of Festival Place, offering a great opportunity to support local businesses and find the perfect gift.

Meanwhile, Lego fans will be able to create festive builds at the ‘It’s BRICKSmas in Basingstoke’ event with The Brick People on December 3 and December 10, taking place 11am to 3pm in Cross Street, Basingstoke.

A range of workshops will also be available for those who feel like crafting, including a chance to make a festive wreath with Morwenna Catt in the Gabardine Bar from 11am and 2pm on December 10.

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There will be a chance to make a gift for someone special with local vegan-friendly cosmetics company See Scents on Monday, December 19 in Willows Coffee House.

On Tuesday 20 December artist Laura Wilcox will be running a willow star workshop from Willows Coffee House at 9am and 10.30am.

Also on Tuesday 20 December local artists Rachel Davis and Jacky Purtill will be showing how to make a Scandi landscape as a gift or home decoration.

Places are limited for all the workshops and so must be booked by emailing towncentre@basingstoke.gov.uk.

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There will also be entertainment in Basingstoke town centre, including a modern take on the Nativity, with Joseph, heavily pregnant Mary and their donkey looking for a safe place to have their baby across the Top of the Town on Saturday December, 3 at 12.30pm and 2pm.

On December 10, from 11am to 3pm in London Street, visitors can catch the magical elf car zipping around the Top of the Town and get a chance to FaceTime Santa or send him a letter from a magical letter box.

Meanwhile, local theatre company Scratchbuilt Productions will be telling a brand new tale asking who is going to pull Santa’s sleigh across Basingstoke.

The play will be performed every 15 minutes from 5pm to 7pm on December 10 in the upper level of Festival Place.

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Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Simon Bound said: “We are delighted to present a fantastic range of free activities and entertainment for people of all ages in the Top of the Town throughout the festive period.

“There is something for everyone, with arts and crafts, festive performances and a fantastic range of small businesses to support when shopping for your Christmas gifts.

“Visiting the town centre this December will really get you in the festive spirit.”