IT MIGHT be more than six weeks away, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Southampton.

Westquay’s first real ice rink is just days from completion, with organisers SKATE Southampton completing the first freeze of the facility last night.

Construction on the annual German Christmas market is also well underway.

The market, which this year covers Above Bar pedestrian precinct and Bargate Street, is set to open this Saturday.

Making up part of Southampton’s Christmas Festival, more than 40 market traders will throw open their stalls from 12noon, selling everything from gifts to traditional German bratwurst, gingerbread hearts and delicious candied fruit.

Consisting of alpine themed chalets, the market, operated by internationally renowned WELA Märkte, will run through to Saturday, December 23.

At 5pm this Saturday, the city’s lights will be switched on with the help of Mayor of Southampton, Les Harris, and Wave 105 DJ, Mark Collins.

The pair will be joined on stage by a local hero, nominated by Echo readers and selected by GO!Southampton, which runs the new Business Improvement District (BID).

The lights switch-on will be followed by the first launch of the flying Santa, who returns again this year.

After the switch-on Santa will make his flight along Above Bar before returning to earth to invite children to join him at the large Advent calendar to hand out small treats to all.

There will be two Flying Santa shows each day, Monday to Saturday at 5pm and 7pm, and Sundays at 3pm and 5pm.

Each show lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Westquay ice rink is set to open to the public from 10.30am on Saturday.

Alongside the ice rink, will be an alpine-themed bar, serving drinks and warming hot-chocolate.

Laurie Scott, project manager of organisers SKATE Southampton, said: “We are really excited to get going.”

Commenting on Southampton’s Christmas offering, the city council’s cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure, Satvir Kaur said: “Having been voted nationally as one of the most festive cities, it’s great to see Christmas in Southampton get bigger and better every year.

“I’m particularly excited to welcome back our flying Santa and new additions to the city such as the ice rink. I’m looking forward to enjoying the festival with residents and visitors to the city.

“Southampton is a place where something’s always happening. This event is a real family favourite, bringing in people from across the region, making Southampton the place to be, especially at Christmas.”