Christmas is fast approaching and there is nothing quite like a market or fayre to get you in the festive spirit.

Here is our round-up of five to enjoy in the coming weeks.

Colchester Christmas Market

The popular festive market returns to Colchester High Street from 10am to 5pm, on Sunday December 8.

There will be stalls offering toys, mulled wine, festive gifts, jewellery, vegan products and art and crafts.

Footprints Street Theatre will be performing a Victorian Christmas, plus there’ll be live music.

For kids there is face painting, fairground rides and even a special visit from Father Christmas at 11am.

There will be free parking for the event at Colchester Council car parks in Butt Road, Middleborough, Napier Road and Sheepen Road.

There is all day parking for £1 in Britannia Car Park.

Festive fairs in Culver Square

The annual Christmas fair will return on December 7 and 8 from 10am to 5pm with a wide variety of craft and food stalls filling the centre and helping to raise money for the Youth Enquiry Service.

The second fair takes place on Saturday December 14 in aid of the charity Christians Against Poverty and there will be a mixture of crafts, artists and food stalls, plus a vintage car on display and two church choirs singing festive carols.

The final fair, which takes place from 10am to 5pm on December 21 and 22, is The Bearded Gypsy Vintage Fair.

Vegan Christmas festival

The Essex Vegan WinterFest event takes place on December 14 at Charter Hall in Cowdray Avenue.

Visitors will be able to sample healthy festive food, find out about new recipes and buy gifts which are vegan friendly.

There will be more than 80 stalls selling Christmas-themed vegan produce including vegan Christmas cakes, mince pies and chocolate, clothing, perfumes, jewellery and pottery.

Hot takeaway food can be purchased and there will be talks and cookery demos.

It takes place from 10.30am to 4.30pm.

Entry is £3 and under 16s go free.

Made in Colchester Christmas fair

Made in Colchester is returning with its fifth annual Christmas Fair featuring work from 15 artists, designers and makers.

It will be held at Colchester Makerspace in Trinity Street, today between 10am and 4pm.

Stallholders include printmakers, artists, ceramicists, illustrators and jewellery designers.

Rowhedge Christmas Fayre

The fair takes place at the village hall from 11am to 4pm today.

There will be a Santa’s grotto, Christmas food, stalls and a raffle.

Little ones can also enjoy a visit from a Shetland pony and Christmas crafts.