The first week of December promises to be action-packed for local residents and visitors to Saundersfoot, with a number of community events organised by local groups to help everyone get into the festive spirit - with The Coastal Christmas ‘Big Switch On’.

On Friday, December 5, The Hean Castle Estate’s Santa’s Sleigh will make its way down The Strand, with the school elves helping Santa load his sleigh with presents before he arrives at the Sensory Garden to a warm village welcome.

Saundersfoot Community Council will lead the countdown before officially switching on the Christmas lights at 5 pm, linking in with the rest of the festive lights around the village.

Joining Santa’s Sleigh will be a lantern parade, accompanied by festive songs performed by pupils from the local school. The celebrations will continue with Christmas carols around the village tree, performed by the ladies of Côr y Môr - creating a magical festive atmosphere.

Following the lights switch-on, there will be a Santa’s Grotto at The Schooner, where children can meet Santa and enjoy the start of the Christmas season.

To round off the weekend’s events, Saundersfoot Rotary Club will host its annual Elf Run on Sunday afternoon along The Strand, a fun, family-friendly event for all ages.

The senior citizens Christmas Party will be on Sunday, December 14. This community event is funded by Saundersfoot Community Council and Tenby and District Lions, and is avaible to all Saundersfoot residents free of charge of pensionable age living in the village.

To register your place or for more information, please contact The Regency Hall on 01834 811700.

It promises to be an unforgettable lead up to Christmas for the seaside village, and to add to that Saundersfoot Footlights are putting on their annual pantomime, and this year it is ‘Alice in Wonderland’ from Monday, December 1 until Saturday, December 5, at the Regency Hall.

Just to recap, highlights for December are as follows:

• 5th – 7th: The Harbour and Rural and West providing a Christmas Market on the decking.

• 5th: The Hean Castle Estate and School Evles helping Santa load his Sleigh with presents, to bring it down the Strand to the Sensory Gardens for Santa to be welcomed by a number of VIPs.

• 5th: The School bringing a lantern parade with festive songs down the Strand.

• 5th: Saundersfoot Community Council leading the countdown to the big switch on at 5pm .

• 5th – 7th: Santa’s Grotto in the Schooner (Starting up straight after the big switch on).

• 7th: The Rotary’s Fun Elf Run up and down the Strand.

Looking ahead to the New Year, preparations are already underway for the 40th Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim. As this marks the ‘Ruby’ anniversary, participants are encouraged to embrace the theme. Registration for the event is now open.

This is a great opportunity for brave swimmers to take the plunge and raise sponsorship for their chosen charity or local cause.

Please see the link for registration and information: www.saundersfoot.co.uk/nyds