Christmas is coming to the West End with an “epic” festive season planned for Dockyard, according to the West End Development Corporation.

Stephanie Rodill, Wedco’s marketing and events manager, said “everyone will find something to enjoy” in the quango’s Christmas list of events.

Voting has begun for the annual Festival of Trees, in which participating schools can win cash donations.

Schools have been given a tree each to decorate in the Clocktower Mall, spread out over the upper and lower levels.

Voting is open until December 7, with the school winning the most votes receiving $2,500.

Second place will receive $1,500, third $1,000, fourth and fifth will receive $500, while the five remaining honourable mentions will receive $250.

Ms Rodill said: “We are encouraging the public to come out and view all the hard work that our primary and middle schoolers put into this competition.

“We are extremely pleased to have West End Primary, Bermuda Institute, Warwick Academy, Heron Bay Primary, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Purvis Primary, Port Royal Primary, Whitney Institute, Paget Primary and St David’s Primary participate this year and we look forward to seeing the creativity of their students.”

Costumed entertainers dressed as the Sesame Street characters Elmo and the Cookie Monster will appear from 11am to 1pm on Sunday, December 8 for photographs upstairs at the mall.

Santa’s workshop will take place from 1pm to 5pm in the Victualling Yard, Santa will be at the Frog and Onion from 1pm to 3pm, Carols with the Dolphins will take place at Dolphin Quest from 5pm to 6pm and the second annual Dockyard Tree Lighting Ceremony will be on the North Lawn from 6pm to 9pm.

Destination Dockyard: Winter Wonderland will take place on Sunday, December 15, on the North Lawn from 1pm to 4pm, and Santa will be at the Frog & Onion from 1pm to 3pm, while the characters will also be on the upper level of the Clocktower Mall from 11am to 1pm for photo opportunities.

On Sunday, December 22, the Christmas characters will be on the upper level of the Clocktower Mall from 11am to 1pm for photo opportunities, Santa will be at the Frog & Onion from 1pm to 3pm, and there will be a final Destination Dockyard: A Christmas Movie in the Victualling Yard from 5pm to 8pm.

Dockyard guests are also able to take part in the free Historical Re-enactment and Walking Tour offered every Sunday until December 29, starting from the moon gate on the cruise ship pier at 11am.

Ms Rodill added: “All these events will help showcase local entertainment and businesses, which will hopefully give them a Christmas boost as well as provide a lot of family friendly entertainment.”

See www.dockyardbermuda.com/events for a full schedule of events and updates, including sale offerings.