Havering Begins The Festive Christmas Season

Havering is getting ready to celebrate Christmas in style this year, with a series of town centre events, festive markets, Christmas trees and light switch-ons taking place across the borough.

This year’s Christmas trees and street decorations have been made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Marlborough Highways, Elm Site Services, AJS, FCC Environment, NC Construction Services, and Moss and Coleman Solicitors.
Their support has been boosted by funding from the Council’s Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL), ensuring that Havering’s town centres will once again sparkle with Christmas cheer.

🎄 Rainham – Friday 14 November, from 5pm

The Rainham Christmas Light Switch-On takes place at Rainham War Memorial, Rainham Village, with the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Sue Ospreay, switching on the lights at 6.30pm.
The event will feature a Santa meet and greet, performing princesses, Christmas carols, live entertainment, food stalls, and festive market traders.
Entry is free.

🎅 Hornchurch – Saturday 15 November, 11am to 5pm

The Hornchurch Christmas Cracker returns to Hornchurch High Street with a full day of fun.
Expect fairground rides, Christmas stalls, performances, and a festive treasure hunt.
The Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm.

⭐ Upminster – Friday 21 November, 3pm to 6pm

Upminster’s free switch-on event will be held at multiple locations, including Upminster Junior School, Station Road, Corbets Tey Road, and Upminster Library.
Highlights include children’s rides at the school, the Hornchurch and Upminster Rotary Santa Sleigh, carols from the Upminster Baptist Church Choir, and music from the Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps.

🎁 Harold Hill – Sunday 23 November, 12 noon to 6pm

Head to Hilldene Shopping Centre for Harold Hill’s festive celebration.
There will be music, singers, dancers, market stalls, free children’s rides and a chance to meet Santa.
The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Sue Ospreay, will switch on the lights at 5.30pm.

✨ Elm Park – Friday 28 November, 3.30pm to 6pm

Elm Park’s free Christmas event will take place across the town centre and feature stilt walkers, a carousel, face painting, balloon modelling, a ukulele band, Bedrock Radio, Lightnin Drama, and of course, Father Christmas himself.
(Free tickets to meet Santa can be booked at the Eye Clinic.)
The Christmas tree lighting will happen at 5pm.

🦌 Collier Row – Friday 28 November, 4pm to 8pm

Collier Row’s The Grouch Who Stole Christmas event will include carol singers, a reindeer pen outside Keys & Lee, face painting, a festive craft trail, and children’s characters including The Grinch and Elf on the Shelf.
Stalls will be located inside the North Romford Community Centre and Ascension Church, with the Christmas tree lights switched on at 6pm.

🌟 Harold Wood – Saturday 29 November, 3pm to 7pm

The Light Before Christmas event takes place at Station Road Car Park (51 Station Road) and features live music, a charity Christmas market, a nativity scene, food vendors, and a visit from Santa and his elves.

Mayor of Havering, Cllr Sue Ospreay, said:

“We are all looking forward to welcoming in the festive period in Havering with the upcoming Christmas events.
Switching on the Christmas tree lights marks the start of the festivities and it will be great to see so many residents come along to help bring in the festive season in each town centre.
Thanks to all the sponsors and individual community groups for supporting this year’s events.”

Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Ray Morgon, added:

“Each Christmas event is the perfect opportunity for visitors to come into our local town centres and join in the festivities whilst supporting the local economy – as part of our Keep it Local campaign.
We would have been unable to fully fund Christmas lights, trees and events this year because of the continued savings the Council needs to make due to year-on-year Government funding reductions and the escalating costs in social care and homelessness.
So, it’s great that thanks to the generosity of local businesses and community groups that our town centres will be able to uphold our festive traditions in Havering this Christmas.”

Find out more about upcoming festive events by visiting:
👉 www.havering.gov.uk/christmas

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