It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Fakenham.

The famous Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival is set to return on Thursday, December 1, with the number of charities involved returning to pre-pandemic levels.  

Fakenham & Wells Times: 48 charities are set to feature at the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival48 charities are set to feature at the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Now in its 22nd year, the event is being held at the town's parish church until December 8.

This time around, 48 charities are showing off their festive finesse, having decorated their own trees in a unique style.

Many of the designs are representative of each charity's cause as they use the festival as an opportunity to collect crucial donations. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: The event sees the church hosting an array of charities, from local to nationalThe event sees the church hosting an array of charities, from local to national (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Roger Burbridge, one of two churchwardens, said he was delighted to see the festival returning in full force. 

"It is really good, not only for us but for the charities too," he added. 

"It’s good to have them [the charities] back, and it helps people to try and return to some sort of normality, with us looking to return to numbers we had before Covid."

Fakenham & Wells Times: Inside Fakenham Parish Church ahead of the Christmas Tree FestivalInside Fakenham Parish Church ahead of the Christmas Tree Festival (Image: Sonya Duncan)

While the number of charities involved in this year's festival is rising again, fellow churchwardens Alison Harding said numbers used to exceed 50. 

But organisers are simply relieved there has not been a repeat of last year's, which saw trees arrive just 24 hours before the festival's opening day due to transportation hold-ups. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: Groups are decorating their trees ahead of opening on December 1Groups are decorating their trees ahead of opening on December 1 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

On Tuesday, November 29, an array of different groups were busy decorating their trees, which were donated by Fakenham Garden Centre.

However, the tree that welcomes people into the church is intentionally bare.

Fakenham & Wells Times: This tree has been left intentionally bare at the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival.This tree has been left intentionally bare at the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The idea came from Tracy Jessop, rector at the church, after one charity dropped out. 

Reverend Jessop decided the bare tree served as an important reminder that some people would be experiencing a darker Christmas than usual due to the cost of living crisis. 

Fakenham & Wells Times: The bucket in front raising money for Baby Bank NorfolkThe bucket in front raising money for Baby Bank Norfolk (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A collection bucket in front of the tree will raise funds for Baby Bank Norfolk, which helps those in poverty. 

“We wanted to support something Norfolk-wide, and Baby Bank does that, especially those in poverty,” she said.

Fakenham & Wells Times: People putting the final touches on their tree ahead of the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival opening on December 1People putting the final touches on their tree ahead of the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival opening on December 1 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“It is a really difficult time for people, so we thought it would be useful to raise money for this charity.”

Money raised for the church during its Christmas market will go towards running costs. 

Funds from the raffle will go towards a project for a new door and ramp.