The Great Christmas Carnival kicks off at Newbury Racecourse

Santa has landed in Newbury.

And will be taking to the sky again every day over the Great Christmas Carnival at Newbury Racecourse.

It is one of the main attractions at the carnival, which opened to the public yesterday (Sunday).

Visitors will also find theme park rides such as the Greatest Hits Radio big wheel, the vintage carousel and the fun house, as well as a spinning coaster and giant rollercoaster for the brave.

There is also a big top which will show the Great Christmas Circus daily, as well as a Christmas tree maze, Father Christmas’s grotto and an ice rink.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be available aplenty at the various food and drink stalls, including the Apres Alpine bar and Nordic Nook bar.

Entry tickets – costing £5 off peak or £7.50 peak – include a hot chocolate and the Flying Father Christmas outdoor show, which will take place on the hour, every hour.

You can book entry and attraction tickets online at www.greatchristmascarnivalnewbury.com.

Free parking is also available.

Julian Thick, chief executive for Newbury Racecourse, said: “We are very excited about the launch of the Great Christmas Carnival. Having been working on this with our partners Underbelly for several years, we know it will be a great event that will appeal to a wide range of audience groups locally and further afield.

“As a diversified entertainment and leisure venue it fits perfectly with our other activities and will be very complementary to our racedays. I am sure the town and local area will see many benefits of hosting this event as it builds down the years.”

Planning permission to host the event was met with some resistence by local residents, however.

Objectors living at the racecourse claimed the high fairground rides would be seen for miles around and that noise and light over the six-week run of the carnival would impact their right to a peaceful life.

Billed as “the biggest festive event in the South outside of London”, the Great Christmas Carnival at Newbury Racecourse will run until Monday, January 2, 2023 – closed Christmas Day - with opening times found online.

Pictures by Phil Cannings.