Christmas is well and truly upon us as Norfolk’s most exciting festive show starts its run of performances.

Thursford Christmas Spectacular, a glittering rhinestone and tinsel-packed variety show which takes place in the village of Thursford, today starts its six-week run, dancing and singing all the way through to December 23.Fakenham & Wells Times: Performers at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular are celebrating the shows 45th anniversaryPerformers at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular are celebrating the shows 45th anniversary (Image: Thursford)The Christmas Spectacular celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, having opened its doors in 1977, it has entertained over six million visitors of all ages from across the globe and has become one of Europe’s biggest and most lavish Christmas shows.

With a cast of 120 dancers, singers, musicians and speciality acts, hosted by comedian, Kev Orkian, the Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music and variety – a fast-moving celebration of the festive season featuring an eclectic mix of both seasonal and year-round favourites including show-tunes, Christmas songs, classic Christmas Carols, Irish-dancing and the Can Can.

Fakenham & Wells Times: With a cast of 120 dancers, singers, musicians and speciality acts, hosted by comedian, Kev Orkian, the Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganzaWith a cast of 120 dancers, singers, musicians and speciality acts, hosted by comedian, Kev Orkian, the Christmas Spectacular is an extravaganza (Image: Thursford)

Big numbers in this year’s show include: You Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray, Flash Bang Wallop from Half a Sixpence and Everything’s Coming up Roses.

Nestled in the Norfolk countryside, the Thursford Christmas Spectacular is part of the Thursford Collection - set amongst the world’s largest collection of steam engines, organs, wurlitzers and fairground rides.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Its not just singing and dancing at Thursford Christmas Spectacular that will entertain the audienceIts not just singing and dancing at Thursford Christmas Spectacular that will entertain the audience (Image: Thursford Christmas Spectacular)

The Christmas spirit continues with Santa’s Magical Journey, an enchanted trip for kids and big kids through a festive fantasy land to meet Father Christmas and The Enchanted Journey of Light, a lantern light extravaganza with a breath-taking festival of luminous sculptures from a fantasy underwater world to the wilds of the North Pole.

Visitors to Thursford can also stop by the shopping village, home to the famous Christmas Shop and pantry; Thursford’s Garden Pavilion which transforms into a festive celebration of cafés, restaurants and bars serving up 35,000 mince pies, almost 19,000 mulled wines, and 24,000 tubs of ice cream each year.

They are also offering special ‘starred’ performances, offering customers 30pc off the price of their ticket.

For more details go to www.thursford.com/christmas-spectacular/