Christmas will be officially launched in Islington on Sunday as the Nag’s Head comes alive with festive cheer and magic.

The free Islington Christmas Extravaganza, returning in its current form for the fifth year running, is the borough’s main yuletide 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.

It’s expected to draw crowds of more than 20,000 – building on the success of last year’s event which attracted some 12,000 residents to the Holloway shopping area.

The extravaganza – which will also see the area lit up in festive sparkle – has grown from a small community event eight years ago lasting just one hour, to a full on street festival along the Holloway Road.

There will also be a Christmas craft and food market, a climbing wall, street performers and a range of activities for youngsters across two key venues.

City and Islington College will offer Santa hand puppet, card and decoration making as well as opening its beauty salon for people to enjoy some pampering, while Resource for London will offer card, picture and craft making.

The event is organised by the Nag’s Head Town Centre Management Group in partnership with Islington Council and City and Islington College, with funding from various sponsors and ward councillors through the local initiatives fund.

Organiser Joyce Pollaya said: “A huge thank you to Unite for sponsoring the Christmas lights and tree this year, and also to all our main sponsors – Nag’s Head shopping Centre, Breyer Group, Drivers and Norris and Selby’s, and to all local businesses that donate refreshments or provide in-kind support including Arsenal.”

Councillors

Cllr Barry Edwards, Mayor of Islington, who will switch on the lights, said: “The light switch on the Nag’s Head is the largest Christmas event in Islington. As someone who grew up a stone’s throw from the Nag’s Head and now represents Holloway Ward on the council, it is a great honour to ‘light up’ the borough in the season of good will.

“The event shows the people of Islington coming together to celebrate and showcase the many strands that make Islington so special: local businesses sponsoring the event; artists demonstrating their skill; children and families together. In short, the brilliant diversity of the borough.

“I’d love to see as many faces as possible at the Christmas Extravaganza – enjoying the shopping experience of Nag’s Head as well as the festivities we’ve put on.”

The northbound carriageway Holloway Road will be closed to traffic between Camden Road and Parkhurst Road from 6am until 8pm.

Full line up:

EVENT STAGE

11:50 – THE MEDICINE SHOW

12:30 – GRAFTON PRIMARY CHOIR

12:50 – THE STANDARDS

13:40 – THE DIN

14:30 – ISLINGTON COUNCIL CHOIR

15:00 – ORIANA

15:30 – D’LYS

16:00 – UKULELE GROUP

16:10 – ‘SLEEPING BEAUTY’ (THE DAME & HAZEL the DOG) BY THE PARK THEATRE

16:30 – TURNING ON THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

16:45 – THE DRUMHEADS PARADE

17:00 – LAZY TALK

STREET PERFORMANCE AREA

11:30 – THE DRUMHEADS PARADE

12:00 – CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP

14:00 – ‘LET’S DANCE’ FLASHMOB

15:00 – COUNTERPOINT DANCE

15:15 – CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP

BUSKER SPOT 1

12:15 – AKAYZIA

13:10 – WINTERFALLE

13:50 – MARWAH

15:50 – SAMPLE ANSWER

BUSKER SPOT 2

12:40 – EAST CACKALACKY

13:30 – OMNI COHEN

14:10 – LEO WYATT

16:00 – TOM HYATT

BUSKER SPOT 3

14:00 – NICK HERSHMAN

15:50 – JAY FRASER

NAGS HEAD PERFORMANCE AREA (in the Nags Heads Shopping Centre)

12:30 – TARA MILTON

13:00 – FUNMILAYO

13:30 – YERBURY CHOIR

14:00 – CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP

15:00 – YERBURY CHOIR

15:30 – TARA MILTON

RESOURCE CENTRE

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES and UKELALE WORKSHOP

CITY & ISLINGTON COLLEGE

CAFÉ, HAIR & BEAUTY TREATMENTS