CLAC event organisers are hoping the inaugural event will bring the magic of Christmas back to Christchurch. It will be supported by more than 120 local businesses and organisations, including The Priory Church, Captains Club Hotel, the Regent Centre, and the Kings Arms.

A similar event was first staged in Sweden more than 15 years ago and now, it is being brought to Dorset by the Christchurch Rotary Club.

Chair of the CLAC organising group, Rtn. Jan Banks, said: “A free event for the town by the town! It’s a great way not only to welcome footfall back to Christchurch but – with a sprinkling of festive magic – to see people, families and friends enjoying the festivities, lights, and atmosphere. We look forward to lots of people coming back to be part of the daily spectacles, perhaps also doing some Christmas shopping and enjoying the many restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés that we have here.”

From 1-24 December, the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar will stage performances from local talents in a different town-centre venue, starting at 6.15pm each day for about half an hour. Each performance will support a local charity. The final performance will be Saxon Square on 24 December at 2pm. Just as in a normal Advent Calendar, the identity of performers will not be announced before the event but will subsequently be publicised on the CLAC website. Already, £12,000 has already been raised by sponsorship for local charities with more to come each evening throughout December.

Alex Aitken, a chef at the Kings Arms Pavilion, which will host an event on 7 December, said: “It’s a fantastic initiative – I knew the moment that I heard about it that we had to support it. I really can’t wait for it to start – it’s a real celebration of talent and community spirit and my grandchildren are going to love it!”

The event will begin on Wednesday 1 December in the north porch of Christchurch Priory Church, privately sponsored and held in support of the charity Autism Wessex, in the presence of the Worshipful the Mayor of Christchurch.

The remaining performances during the first week will be at the following venues:

2 December – James and White restaurant (sponsored by Kamm Civil Engineering in aid of Lewis Manning Hospice Care)

3 December – Druitt Hall (sponsored by Christchurch Charitable Trust in aid of Somerford Alliance Resource Centre)

4 December – Priory Church (sponsored by Proscapes Construction/Landscaping in aid of Macmillan Caring Locally)

5 December – the Boat House (sponsored by Christchurch Charitable Trust in aid of Water Lily Project)

6 December – the Captain’s Club (sponsored by Primrose Charitable Trust in aid of British Heart Foundation)

7 December – the Kings Arms Pavilion (sponsored by T C Filer Knapper in aid of Christchurch Food Bank+)

For more information about venues, sponsors and charities visit the CLAC website www.christchurchlivingadventcalendar.org.uk – or you can follow the Christchurch Living Advent Calendar elves on social media –

Facebook: @Christchurch Living Advent Calendar,

Instagram: @Christchurch_living_advent.