This Sunday the Nag’s Head will come alive with Yuletide joy and magic as Christmas officially launches in Islington.

The free Islington Christmas Extravaganza, returning in its current form for the sixth year running, is the borough’s main festive celebration and will feature real reindeer, funfair rides and a jam-packed line up of entertainment across several stages with choirs to cutting edge pop acts.

Taking place between 11.30am and 5.30pm, the extravaganza includes a Christmas craft and food market, a climbing wall, street performers and a range of activities for youngsters.

The City and Islington College is also holding Santa hand puppet, card and decoration making sessions in their café, as well as opening its beauty salon for people to enjoy some pampering.

Paul Lyall, who is this year’s poet in residence at the Roald Dahl museum, will be attempting to build an igloo out of poems.

The Barbican Drumheads lead a parade at 4pm, followed by the big lights switch-on at 4.30pm with free mulled wine and mince pies from Morrisons, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

Visitors can have their photo taken and attach it to The Great Holloway Map - a special installation in the Selbys department store window which hopes to create a picture of Holloway and its residents.

The event is organised by the Nag’s Head Town Centre Management Group in partnership with Islington Council, with sponsorship from the Nag’s Head Shopping Centre, Breyer Group, Unite Students, Selbys and City and Islington College.

Additional funding has come from Islington Council, the Local Initiatives Fund as well as contributions and in-kind support from local businesses.

The northbound carriageway Holloway Road will be closed to traffic between Camden Road and Parkhurst Road during the event.

Click here for a full line up of musical and theatrical entertainment.