THE Only Way was Christmas in Lion Walk as the X Factor’s Megan McKenna helped bring festive cheer to crowds.

Megan, who is no stranger to the town having switched on the town centre lights last year, performed to the audience.

She was joined by her X Factor: Celebrity mentor Louis Walsh ahead of the hotly anticipated final on Saturday.

She posed for selfies and chatted with fans before taking to the stage.

The festive fun kicked off in Lion Walk with performances from acts including Colchester Institute Performance, Theatretrain and the Soul’d Out Band.

There was a special performance from Blind Veterans UK’s choir, Vision in Song.

The veterans marched into the shopping centre ahead of their heartwarming performance.

Elsa, Anna and Olaf from Disney’s Frozen helped ramp up the festive cheer before Megan took to the stage.

She sang her original song This, which fans heard in the first week of the X Factor contest.

Following her performance visitors were treated to fireworks and the light switch-on alongside Second World War veteran Lionel Chivers.

The 93-year-old served in Nigeria and Cameroon and at 87 years old Macular Degeneration stole his sight.

There was also a Bavarian style market, the launch of the town’s Wednesday market on Culver Street East and the first late night shopping evening with shops open until 9pm.

Centre manager Martin Leatherdale said the night had seen huge crowds and hailed it a big success.

Colchester’s High Street Christmas lights will be turned on Sunday.

The fun begins at with performances in Culver Square from 11am. Festivities start in the High Street start at 2.30pm. Santa is due to arrive at 4.30pm.

The Culver Square and High Street switch-ons are at 5pm, with Mercury Theatre panto stars doing the honours in the High Street.