1 Rayleigh Brass will be cooking up a festive helping of seasonal cheer when the band returns to the Mill Hall, Rayleigh, for its traditional Christmas concert this Sunday (December 9).

This year’s performance, ‘A Christmas Feast’ will be packed with all the ingredients you need at this time of year from traditional classics like ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘Silent Night’ to a sprinkling of favourites from the last century such as ‘The Christmas Song’ and ‘Jingle Bells’. It’s then spiced with modern gems like music from the film ‘The Polar Express’.

The concert will also include a performance from the ever popular Rayleigh Brass Training Band as well as plenty of audience participation in singing carols.

Doors open at the Mill Arts and Events Centre, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh at 7pm with the concert starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available on (01268) 755005.

2 What better way to get into the spirit of the season than with a ‘Ceremony of Carols’ taking place this evening (Friday) at St Augustine’s Church, St Augustine’s Avenue in Thorpe Bay. Enjoy two hours of Christmas music featuring Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols.

Entry is £8 adults (£1 for under 16s). To book tickets call 01702 465460.

3 'Carols for Christmas’ will be returning to the Royals Shopping Centre in Southend High Street tomorrow (Saturday). From 1pm-5pm a host of local choirs will visit the centre to bring visitors festive cheer with Christmas carols and songs. Expect all the classics and more!

4 The University of Essex Choir’s- Winter Concert returns this weekend.

Held a the university’’s Colchester Campus in Wivenhoe, tomorrow evening (Saturday), the event will see the University of Essex Choir performing a host of seasonal pieces, including Durante’s Magnificat Schubert’s Mass in G,Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. A range of ticket prices available. Log onto www.universityofessexchoir.org for more details and to book.

5 The Four Seasons by Candlelight is the perfect event to get you into the yuletide mood. The concert will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend.

The verve and virtuosity of the 18th century will be brought to life in this enchanting concert staged in an elegant candle-lit setting. Ticket prices range from £24.50- £36.50. Call 01702 351135.