Its Christmas time and Havering is rife with festivities this year- light switch-on events, Christmas markets, Santa’s grottos, parades have lined up the streets in recent weeks.

One such attraction, the Havering Christmas Land in Hornchurch, has returned with a charitable cause at its heart.

Romford Recorder: Havering Christmas Land features hundreds of lights and decorationsHavering Christmas Land features hundreds of lights and decorations (Image: Havering Mind)Havering Mind, the mental health group that works in Havering, Barking and Dagenham, has set up the sparkling site in the secret garden for the blind at Harrow Lodge Park.

Romford Recorder: The attraction was named as best local event by Mum's Guide to Romford this yearThe attraction was named as best local event by Mum's Guide to Romford this year (Image: Havering Mind)The attraction features a “magical Christmas lights walkaway” and a “stunning Santa’s grotto” with food and entertainment on select nights.

Read More: Enchanted Christmas in Romford town centre set to begin

Read More: Havering Council shares list of major Christmas 2023 events

Another notable Santa’s grotto- the Ice Grotto- has opened to the public in Romford’s Liberty Shopping Centre from November 25.

Romford Recorder: The grand ice grotto in Liberty Shopping CentreThe grand ice grotto in Liberty Shopping Centre (Image: The Liberty Shopping Centre)The launch event was marked with a parade by festive characters who marched around the town centre.Romford Recorder: Characters dressed as 'Snow Sisters' were among the performers at Liberty Shopping CentreCharacters dressed as 'Snow Sisters' were among the performers at Liberty Shopping Centre (Image: The Liberty Shopping Centre)

The grotto is priced at £5 but the proceeds will be donated to Liberty’s resident charity, Mitchell’s Miracles this year.

Romford Recorder: Musicians entertained visitors during Liberty Shopping Centre's launch event for the Ice GrottoMusicians entertained visitors during Liberty Shopping Centre's launch event for the Ice Grotto (Image: The Liberty Shopping Centre)Romford’s Business Improvement District is playing host to a series of festive events in the town centre too that will run from November 25 to December 17.

On the opening day, entertainers roamed around the town centre from 1 pm to 4 pm, while a range of other activities will follow in the run up to Christmas. 

Romford Recorder: Entertainers assembled outside Romford Shopping Hall on November 25Entertainers assembled outside Romford Shopping Hall on November 25 (Image: Copyright of Sandra Rowse)Willy Wonka characters and stilt walkers will be at the Mercury mall between 12pm and 1 pm on December 10, and there will be Snow experiences between December 2 and 24 for the first time in Romford. 

Julie Frost, Romford BID director, had earlier said this was the biggest ever Christmas celebration they had done so far.

Romford Recorder: Romford BID director Julie Frost (centre) joined in the celebrations on November 25Romford BID director Julie Frost (centre) joined in the celebrations on November 25 (Image: Copyright of Sandra Rowse)She added: “I'm expecting great things.

“I am super excited to see families, couples and friends enjoy everything we’ve arranged.”

Elsewhere, Havering's lights switch-on event in Romford on November 16 was followed by other such local events in Hornchurch, Upminster, Harold Hill, Collier Row and Rainham.