Christmas is nearly upon us, and Havering is gearing up to bring in the festive vibe.
A host of events will be taking place in the borough to mark the celebrations this year. With Havering Council being on the brink of bankruptcy, the council has proposed budget cuts for Christmas events going forward.
This means that these could be some of the last such big scale events sponsored by the council.
A list of Christmas 2023 events, compiled by the council, is summarised below.
Havering Christmas Lights switch-on
Date & Time: 4:30pm to 7pm on 16 November 2023
Location: Market Place, Romford, Essex RM1 1XP
Details:
DJ Luck and MC Neat will be headlining Havering’s big Christmas lights switch-on event with Rozalla taking the stage performing her 90s worldwide hit Everybody’s Free.
Other acts include Razzamataz Theatre School, vocalist Vivica Jade, who has featured on ‘The Voice’ and toured with Ed Sheeran, The Pussycat Dolls and JLS.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will also be previewing their ‘Dick Whittington’ Christmas pantomime for this year, and there will be paid mini fairground rides and children’s Christmas characters.
The finale will be marked with a fireworks display at 7pm.
Hornchurch Christmas Cracker 2023
Date & Time: 11am to 5pm on 18 November 2023
Location: Hornchurch High Street RM12 6QP
Details:
The community event is meant to help local people celebrate Christmas and promote “unique shopping experience of Hornchurch”, says council.
A Santa’s Grotto will be laid in Viva Dental. A DJ (Bedrock Radio), fairground rides and artists performing on stage including children’s mascots, choir, dance groups and a singer will be a part of the festivities. Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm.
Read More: DJ Luck and MC Neat to perform at Havering’s Christmas event
Upminster Christmas Event 2023
Date & Time: 4pm to 6pm on 23 November 2023
Location: Station Lane, Upminster
Details:
There will be an “Elf treasure trail” with a number of stalls giving out stamps and free gifts to those who complete the trail.
Free children’s fairground rides, carol singing, and Bedrock Radio will be other attractions, and the tree lights will already be switched on for the event.
Harold Hill Tree Light Switch On
Date & Time: 12 noon to 6pm on 26 November 2023
Location: Harold Hill Shopping Centre, Hilldene Avenue RM3
Details:
Music and entertainment for all ages is on offer at this year’s Harold Hill light switch on, with free rides and gifts.
The council has said that the event will include bands, solo singers, youth clubs, dance troops, circus acts with stalls selling bespoke hand made items, toys and tombola.
Santa is scheduled to arrive at 1pm on his sleigh and give out free presents for all children. Tree lights will be turned on at 5.30pm.
Christmas Market at Most Holy Redeemer Church Hall
Date & Time: 12 noon to 3pm on 26 November 2023
Location: Most Holy Redeemer Church Hall, Petersfield Avenue RM3 9RB
Details:
Father Christmas and refreshments will be among the celebration at the event.
Keep Calm and Jingle all the Way Collier Row Christmas Event
Date & Time: 4pm to 8pm on 1 December 2023
Location: Various locations across Collier Row
Details:
The event includes carol singers, reindeer securely penned in (located outside Keys and Lee forecourt), face painting glitter tattoo’s (within the NRCA), The Collier Row Christmas Winter Wonderland Stickers Craft Trail (5 locations within the town), character’s walking around the town with an escort including The Grinch, Elf on the Shelf, Olaf the snowman, Pepper Pig and Poppy.
Santa and The Wishing Tree, and Christmas Market
Date & Time: 10 am to 4pm on 2 December 2023
Location: Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford RM1 1JU
Details:
The event is said to be designed to help children send their letters to Santa and put a wish on the wishing tree.
They also get a chance to meet Santa and get a present from him. A Christmas market will be running in the museum at the same time from 10am to 4 pm that day, and there will be four sessions on 12pm, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm. It costs £5 per child.
Rainham Christmas Light Switch-on
Date & Time: 4pm to 8pm on 2 December 2023
Location: Various locations across Rainham
Details:
A “modern nativity” is said to be held at various locations with people moving around with the actors. The event starts at Tesco Bridge Road and ends at the War Memorial Broadway and Upminster Road.
Christmas Bazaar
Date & Time: 1pm to 4pm on 9 December 2023
Location: Rush Green Community Centre, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0LB
Details:
Presented by Rush Green Community Association, the Christmas Bazaar and meet Father Christmas event will include Café, tombola, local craft stalls and prize raffles.
More details about all the events can be found on council's website: Christmas events | The London Borough Of Havering
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