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
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