Reindeer, funfair rides and Father Christmas were among the attractions that drew thousands to Islington’s Christmas Extravaganza on Sunday.

The festive feast of fun returned to the Nags Head in Holloway for a fifth consecutive year in its current format with a jam-packed line up of entertainment across several stages.

Choirs and cutting edge pop acts accompanied a Christmas craft and food market, a climbing wall, street performers and a range of activities for youngsters across two key venues as the streets were lit up in festive sparkle.

City and Islington College also offered Santa hand puppet, card and decoration making and opened its beauty salon for people to enjoy some Christmas pampering, while card, picture and craft making was laid on by Resource for London.

The event, which started off a small community event eight years ago lasting just one hour but now resembles a full on street festival along the Holloway Road, was organised by the Nag’s Head Town Centre Management Group in partnership with Islington Council and City and Islington College and was funded by various sponsors and ward councillors through the local initiatives fund.

Last week also saw Christmas lights switched on across the borough with Archway illuminated on Friday, Caledonian Road lit up on Saturday and TV historian David Starkey switching on the lights at Highbury Barn on Sunday.

Cllr Richard Watts, leader of Islington Council who attended the extravaganza, said “It was great to see so many thousands of people at Islington’s largest Christmas light switch-on at the Nag’s Head, giving a much needed boost to our fantastic local retailers.

“The entertainment was brilliant, bringing the Islington community out to enjoy the start of the festive season.”