We may all be basking in a heat wave and enjoying sunny, summer days, but for some jingle bells are already ringing with preparations for the city's Christmas celebrations well under way.

There are about five months to go until the big day, but the VisitNorwich team is already busily working away to make sure the city has a 2014 festive season to remember and has just released details of some of the Christmas treats in store.

Melanie Cook, from VisitNorwich, said: 'Whilst the majority of people are enjoying the glorious summer weather, VisitNorwich is thinking ahead to the colder months when we will be wrapped up warm, bustling around, thinking about presents, Christmas food and party outfits! Christmas is about sharing and we want to share our beautiful city at Christmas, and in order to do this we have to think many months ahead.

'It does seem rather mad to be talking about Christmas whilst the sun is blazing outside but it has to be done if we want to catch the December magazine issues and travel industry press.'

The city's festivities will kick off on November 20 with a lantern parade from Norwich Cathedral to City Hall where the Christmas lights switch-on will take place, and this year Norwich is set to be decorated with even more festive lights.

There will be a real Christmas Tree Trail through the city, with the trees decorated in a 12 Days of Christmas theme by local artists and schools, and a new Discover Norwich app is also set to be launched for visitors.

Other highlights include concerts at Norwich Cathedral, St Peter Mancroft Church and St Andrew's Hall, and festive shopping events such as The Assembly House Christmas Fair, Dragon Hall's Medieval Christmas Market and The Christmas Nostalgia Fair presented by The Norwich Fleamarket

The Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime is Peter Pan, while Norwich Puppet Theatre's Christmas show is Beauty and the Beast and Norwich Playhouse is hosting The Michael Bublé Christmas Songbook. Cinema City will also be screening Christmas classic It's a Wonderful Life. The Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell will be opening a new exhibition on November 15 called Fabulous 1950s Fashion and holding some Christmas events related to this.

Santa's Grotto for Dogs will also be making a return to The Forum.

• Are you planning a special event for the city? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk