Attractions old and new will feature in this week's Oyster Festival, bringing thousands of people to Whitstable.

Today's opening of the week-long spectacle is packed with things to do and includes the traditional landing of the oysters at Long Beach at 2.30pm, followed by the colourful oyster parade.

Throughout the day there will be arts and crafts events, including the artisan craft fair in St Peter’s Church in Sydenham Street, and open exhibitions and demonstrations in the town’s galleries.

There will be music, with performances at The Deck at the harbour, outside the library in Oxford Street and at the tea gardens opposite Whitstable Castle.

The harbour will also stage the Epicentre food fair over this weekend, a major attraction in its own right, with more than 70 stalls selling food all day long.

Tomorrow is equally busy with more of the same mix of entertainment, plus the traditional mud tug-of-war, which this year takes place at Beach Walk at 8.30pm because of the tides.

Eight teams will battle it out.

Later in the week the festival is quieter but there is still lots of things of to do.

Each day has a free event for children, but there is an equal amount on offer for grown-ups too.

The Rude Mechanicals, Faronel, London’s Youth Wind Band, Whitstable World Music, Idol Rich Theatre and Samba Pelo Mar are just some of the many performers during the week.

On Thursday, after the Blessing of the Waters ceremony, hundreds of oyster shell grotters will be lit by candles before the finale fireworks, which this year are a day earlier than usual because of the Olympic opening ceremony the following day.

The Blessing of the Waters, which dates back from 1657, will take place at 6.45pm.

Everyone is welcome to join the procession of clergy and choristers for this service at Reeves Beach.

Other festival favourites include heritage walks, talks, crab catching and workshops for adults and children.

• To see the full programme of events go to www.whitstableoysterfestival.com