WORCESTER’S Victorian Christmas Fayre gets underway this evening promising an event full of festive food, fun and more.

From tonight, the city’s historic streets will be filled with hundreds of stalls selling an array of products, including local arts and crafts, international products, festive gifts, alongside a food court and musical merriment from schools and choirs from across the county.

The Salvation Army Brass Band and Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir will also be singing some festive numbers to kick things off during a special opening ceremony, which begins at 5.15pm.

Mayor of Worcester Pat Agar will process from the Guildhall to the Cornmarket where she will officially open the fayre, which runs until Sunday.

James Luxton, sub-assistant organist at Worcester Cathedral, said the choir was looking forward to getting things started.

“Our choir is unique among British cathedral voluntary choirs, in that it is still made up of boys and men,” he said. “Founded in October 1874, the choir has been running for 139 years.

“The choir has enjoyed tours to Paris and Belgium in recent years and we are looking forward to entertaining people at the Christmas celebrations in our home town.”

Helen Mole, head of events at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is the first time that we will be responsible for organising the Worcester Christmas Fayre and we are really excited to be involved. The opening ceremony is just the start of four days of entertainment that will entertain the crowds as they visit the fayre.”

After the opening, which is sponsored by Worcester Local Enterprise Partnership, the music will continue until about 8.45pm, with performances by Worcester Male Voice Choir, the Ledbury Waytes, Elgar School of Music and more.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Carol Singers will be roaming, entertaining people with carols, as well as a Victorian steam popcorn machine, providing people with a tasty treat while they take in all of the festivities.

Late night shopping will also run on Thursday, giving visitors the chance to start their own Christmas shopping.

For more information, visit visitworcestershire. org/christmasfayre, e-mail events@ hwchamber.co.uk, or call the chamber event team on 0845 641 1641.

Click here to download your map of the Victorian Christmas Fayre

You can follow live updates from the event this afternoon, and tweet us your pictures using #worcxmas, or upload them to our Facebook page at facebook.com/theworcesternews.