IT'S the weekend again and we've put together a few things to keep you busy.

1. A SOUTHEND church is holding a Christmas fair for charity.

The Belle Vue Baptist Church Hall, is holding the event on Saturday, at the church in Belle Vue Road, Southchurch, from 11am until 3pm.

There will be Santa's grotto, tombola, raffle, gifts, toys, and hook a duck.

For more information, call 07891 514187.

2. A NEW event is being held at the Olympic Mountain Bike Course, Hadleigh Country Park.

The event is being held to raise money for Little Havens Hospice.

There will be a 5k run, a 10k bike ride and an assault course, on Sunday, November 22.

Entry is £30 per person and the minimum age requirement is 14 years old.

Places are strictly limited to 200. For more information, visit hadleigh-park.co.uk

3. BASILDON Council will host a three-day business event for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The event, named Inspire, will take place between Thursday November, 19, and Saturday November, 21 at the Wat Tyler Centre, in Pitsea.

Visitors can take part in workshops and meet investors and mentors to learn about business start-ups.

The event is suitable for secondary school pupils and graduates.

For more information, visit basildon.gov.uk/inspire2015.

4. CHELMSFORD is set to be illuminated by thousands of sparkling lights as the grand switch-on ceremony signals the beginning of the city’s festivities.

A special event for the official switch-on of Chelmsford’s Christmas lights will run from 1pm on Sunday until the grand fireworks finale at 4.45pm.

The annual event is a firm favourite in the city’s calendar as shops, performers and local organisations unite to keep everyone entertained and get into the festive spirit.

A stage set up outside the Shire Hall in the city’s High Street will create a focal point for the entertainment and activities, which will be going on throughout the day.

The event, which is being sponsored this year by the Weekly News, Quest Motor Group, Citroen and Heart Radio, will be hosted by radio presenters Martin Day and Su Harrison, of Heart Radio.

They will lead a succession of local and professional talent on stage to show off their musical skills between 1pm and 3pm. At 4.45pm the mayor of Chelmsford, Paul Hutchinson, will get up on the big stage with Martin and Su for the much-anticipated Chelmsford Lights switch-on. They will be joined by cast members from Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre’s the Wizard of Oz on Ice and Chelmsford Civic Theatre’s Aladdin production, the YMCA’s Young Person of the Year, local singer Hollie Barrie, who recently starred on BBC’s the Voice, and Weekly News editor Gary Pearson.

The switch-on will be swiftly followed by a spectacular firework display, which will launch from near the Meadows Shopping Centre and the city sign.

When you aren’t watching the fun, this is the perfect opportunity for those who wish to do a bit of Christmas shopping.

Keep an eye out for any special offers and deals from the shops!

Christmas can be an expensive time, so to help you get the best deals this year, a “Little Book of Christmas Offers” booklet will be available once more at the lights switch-on, giving you discounts for the rest of the holiday season.

Next week, Late Night Shopping begins in Chelmsford city centre on Thursday nights.Please check details of individual store opening times for more information. For more about Sunday’s event and other seasonal activities please go and visit chelmsford.gov.uk/christmas.

5. TENDRING District Scouts will be hosting a fundraising ball in Kirby Cross.

The dance will take place at the Taylor Rooms, in Station Road, on Saturday, November 21 and will include a carvery meal.

Funds raised at the event will go towards the new Scout HQ in Valley Road, Clacton.

Tickets for the event, which starts at 7.30pm, cost £35 and are available on 01255 763454.

6. A CHRISTMAS bazaar is being held in Chalkwell featuring local entertainment.

Chalkwell Park Methodist Church in Kingsway will be holding the event between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, November 21, with a variety of stalls, and entertainment from local Brownies and the Southend Senior Singers.

Father Christmas will also be in attendance to meet children.

For more information, email gill.palmerst@btinternet.com or visit chalkwellpark.co.uk

7. Residents at the Colne View care home in Halstead have got their mixing bowls and wooden spoons at the ready for a festive “stir-up” on the traditional day for making Christmas puddings, Stir-up Sunday.

The Care UK team has joined forces with former Great British Bake Off finalist, Brendan Lynch, ahead of the big day on Sunday 22nd November, with Brendan creating a Christmas pudding recipe especially for the Colne View care home on Dame Mary Walk. Colchester.

On Sunday, head chef, Dan Rotariu, will be using the special recipe to bake with residents. Everyone will have a chance to stir as they make the festive dessert by mixing together ingredients such as mixed peel, raisins and glace cherries.

Stir-up Sunday, which takes place on the last Sunday before Advent, is traditionally the day when families and friends gather together to “stir-up” their Christmas pudding and make a wish, leaving plenty of time for the pudding to mature before Christmas Day.

8. A CHRISTMAS fair will take place in aid of Little Clacton’s National Animal Welfare Trust.

The fair will include children’s games, a raffle, tombola and seasonal refreshments.

It will take place at Plough Corner Community Hall, Harwich Road, Little Clacton, on Sunday, November 22, from 10am to 3pm.

All money raised will support the Little Clacton-based cat and dog rehoming centre.

9. A BRASS band and a community choir will perform at a charity fair this weekend.

Bocking Concert Brass and Chelmsford Community Gospel Choir will be among the attractions at the fifth Helen Rollason Cancer Charity event at Cressing Temple Barns.

There will be more than 70 stalls selling a variety of gifts and crafts and food and drink.

Abigail’s Performing Arts, the Maldon Handbell Ringers, the Essex Pantomime Group, will also perform.

The event will open between 10am and 4pm on November 21 and November 22.

10. SHOEBURY Model Railway Club’s 33rd annual railway exhibition will take place this weekend at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre, in Garon Park, Southend, between 10am and 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Entrance costs £6 for adults and £4 for children.

For more information about the show, call 01702 294926.