Plan your ultimate festive season in Romford with our itinerary guide. Find all the best holiday events. Whether you're a Romford veteran or a first-timer, this guide helps you create lasting holiday memories.
Kick off the festivities with the Christmas Lights Switch-On, lighting up the heart of Romford with dazzling displays. Glide across the ice at Romford Ice Rink Christmas Skate, where you can enjoy a magical winter wonderland on skates. And The Big Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful variety of gifts, treats, and crafts. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Romford
- Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Romford Ice Rink Christmas Skate
- The Big Christmas Market
- Santa's Grotto at The Brewery
- Havering Christmas Land
- St. Edward's Christmas Concert
- Christmas at Havering Museum
- Santa Express Train Ride
- Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
Romford Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch-On
What to Expect:
Community-wide countdown and switch-on ceremony
Description:
Romford's town center transforms as thousands gather for the annual Christmas Lights Switch-On. The air buzzes with anticipation as the community unites for the countdown. This year's event features local choirs performing traditional carols, adding a touch of nostalgia to the modern light display. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine while admiring the intricate light installations. Dating back to the 1950s, this switch-on ceremony has become a cherished tradition, marking the official start of Romford's holiday season.
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Romford Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Big Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and contemporary crafts
Description:
The Big Christmas Market in Romford blends time-honored craftsmanship with modern artistry. This expansive market showcases over 100 local artisans and their unique creations. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread, enticing visitors as they browse. Participate in hands-on workshops to create your own holiday decorations. The market pays homage to Romford's rich history as a market town, which dates back to 1247 when it received its first charter.
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Romford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
St. Edward's Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Fusion of classical and contemporary Christmas music
Description:
St. Edward's Christmas Concert breaks traditional boundaries by blending classical carols with contemporary arrangements. This year's performance features a collaboration between the church choir and local rock musicians, creating a unique soundscape. The concert's centerpiece is a specially commissioned piece that tells the story of Romford's holiday history through music. Audience members can join in for a community sing-along. St. Edward's, with its rich musical heritage dating back centuries, continues to innovate while honoring its past.
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St. Edward's Christmas Concert
Santa Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Storytelling journey through Romford's holiday history
Description:
The Santa Express Train Ride takes passengers on a captivating journey through Romford's holiday past. As the train winds through the town, storytellers bring to life tales of Christmases long ago. The gentle clacking of wheels on tracks provides a soothing backdrop to the narratives. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt, spotting historical landmarks along the route. This unique ride combines the charm of a traditional Santa train with a rich exploration of local history.
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Romford Other Holiday Activities
Romford Ice Rink Christmas Skate
What to Expect:
Themed skating sessions with live performances
Description:
Glide into the holiday spirit at Romford Ice Rink's Christmas Skate. This year's event elevates the typical skating experience with themed sessions featuring live performances by professional ice dancers. The rink comes alive with colorful projections on the ice, creating an ever-changing landscape beneath your feet. You can join a festive skating lesson to learn new moves. Interestingly, ice skating in Romford dates back to the 1930s when locals would skate on frozen ponds in winter.
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Romford Ice Rink Christmas Skate
Santa's Grotto at The Brewery
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling experience with Santa
Description:
Santa's Grotto at The Brewery offers an immersive journey through the North Pole. This year's grotto introduces an interactive storytelling experience where children become part of Santa's adventure. The walls come alive with animated projections, transporting visitors into a storybook world. Kids can help Santa solve puzzles to "save" Christmas. The Brewery, once a literal brewery in the 19th century, now hosts this beloved holiday tradition, blending history with modern-day cheer.
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Havering Christmas Land
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly winter wonderland with sustainable attractions
Description:
Havering Christmas Land reimagines holiday celebrations with a focus on sustainability. This eco-conscious winter attraction features rides and games powered by renewable energy. The gentle sound of wind chimes made from recycled materials fills the air. Visitors can participate in workshops on creating eco-friendly decorations. Havering, known for its green spaces, continues this tradition by showcasing how holiday joy and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
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Christmas at Havering Museum
What to Expect:
Interactive historical Christmas experience
Description:
Christmas at Havering Museum transports visitors through time, offering an interactive journey through holiday traditions of the past. This year's exhibition brings to life Christmas celebrations from various eras in Romford's history. Authentic aromas of historical holiday dishes waft through the air. Visitors can try their hand at traditional Victorian Christmas crafts. The museum, housed in the old Romford Brewery building, provides a fitting backdrop for this exploration of local Christmas heritage.
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Christmas Eve Midnight Mass
What to Expect:
Incorporation of local musical traditions
Description:
Christmas Eve Midnight Mass in Romford embraces local musical heritage, featuring a unique blend of traditional hymns and songs inspired by the area's folk music history. The church bells ring out across the town, calling the community together. Parishioners can participate in a candlelit procession before the service. This midnight mass continues a centuries-old tradition in Romford, with records of Christmas Eve services dating back to the medieval period.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at Harrow Lodge Park (Hornchurch)
What to Expect:
Nature-inspired Christmas trail with local wildlife focus
Description:
Christmas at Harrow Lodge Park brings nature and holiday cheer together in a unique celebration. The park's winding paths transform into a nature-inspired Christmas trail, highlighting local wildlife in festive scenes. Twinkling lights illuminate the way, creating a starry canopy overhead. Visitors can join guided night walks to spot nocturnal animals. This event draws inspiration from the park's history as a former country estate, blending its natural heritage with holiday traditions.
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Christmas at Harrow Lodge Park
Christmas Pantomime at Queens Theatre (Hornchurch)
What to Expect:
Local history-inspired twist on a classic pantomime
Description:
Queens Theatre's Christmas Pantomime reimagines a classic tale with a distinctly Romford flavor. This year's production weaves local historical figures and events into the storyline, creating a unique blend of tradition and local pride. The theater comes alive with elaborate sets that recreate iconic Romford landmarks. Audience members can join in with specially crafted songs about the town's history. This pantomime, a staple of British Christmas entertainment, has been adapted to celebrate Hornchurch's rich cultural heritage.
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Christmas Pantomime at Queens Theatre
Victorian Christmas at Langtons House (Hornchurch)
What to Expect:
Immersive role-playing experience in a historic setting
Description:
Victorian Christmas at Langtons House plunges visitors into a 19th-century holiday celebration. This immersive experience assigns each guest a Victorian-era role to play throughout their visit. The crackling of a real fire in the hearth adds authenticity to the atmosphere. Participants can learn and perform traditional Victorian parlor games. Langtons House, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 18th century, provides the perfect backdrop for this journey into Hornchurch's Christmas past.
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Victorian Christmas at Langtons House