This Christmas, Santa will be coming to Croydon’s Centrale & Whitgift shopping centre, and visitors can come and meet the man himself.

Alongside the new grotto experience - Santa’s Christmas Skyride – visitors can experience the festive Market offering the best of Croydon’s local makers, carolling and more.

Christmas 2024 at Centrale & Whitgift promises to be a “truly magical experience”, with something for everyone.

Whether you're visiting Santa, shopping for gifts, or enjoying the festive market and music performances, there’s no better place to get into the holiday spirit.

Here are all the Christmas events at Centrale and the Whitgift Centre this year.

Santa’s Christmas Skyride – November 27 to Christmas Eve

Santa’s Christmas Skyride will kick off from November 27.

Families can take flight this Christmas, joining Santa’s friendly team of elves for an adventure involving a virtual flight all the way to the North Pole.

People can step inside the magical elevator, located opposite House of Fraser in Centrale, and be whisked up head up into the skies, through the clouds and get ready to meet with Santa himself.

Tickets are now available and are sure to be popular, so make sure to secure your spot early for this festive journey.

Each family will receive a reindeer gift from Santa, with an opportunity to buy photos on the day.

Whitgift Christmas Market – December 14 to Christmas Eve

From December 14 to December 24, shoppers can explore the Whitgift’s new Christmas Market, where a curated selection of food, drinks, and gifts – all from Croydon makers and bakers - will be on offer.

The market allows shoppers to tick off their Christmas list while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Shoppers can enjoy a range of handmade cards and gifts, vegan cakes, mulled wine, scented candles, art works and more.

A series of daily free workshops will take place at the Christmas Market in Whitgift Square (opposite Superdry).

The daily workshop schedule offers a variety of festive, hands-on activities for all the family:

 

Workshop times:

  • 11am to 12pm, visitors can get crafty at the Handmade Christmas Ornament Workshop. 
  • 12.30pm to 1.30pm, visitors can make their very own Christmas cards.
  • 2pm to 3pm – visitors can make their very own Christmas stockings.
  • Finally, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, visitors can get stuck in with the Gingerbread House Decorating workshop.

Make A Difference This Christmas – November 27 to Christmas Eve

This Christmas, you can help vulnerable children or families in Croydon by participating in the Giving Tree Appeal.

From November 27 to Christmas Eve, the Giving Trees are back, giving you the chance to be a secret Santa to those who need it most.

Visitors can visit the Giving Trees location in Centrale (Ground floor mall next to the Grotto) or The Whitgift (Whitgift Square opposite Superdry).

Pick a tag from the tree, which provides details of a gift for someone in the local area.

Purchase the gift and bring it back, unwrapped, to the Giving Tree boxes.

Donations will be collected by Reedham Children’s Trust, a local charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families in Croydon and delivered in time to brighten their Christmas. 

Last year, the Giving Tree Appeal received over 900 gifts, benefiting hundreds of children across Croydon.

 

Christmas Croydon’s Got Talent

Music is set to fill the air thanks to the Christmas Carolling Programme, featuring performances from three categories: primary schools, secondary schools and community groups.

Running over several days, the carol singers will compete for a chance to win £500, with one winner selected from each category.

Judged by a panel including URW, Centrale & Whitgift and other local organisations, the competition promises to be a  “wonderful way for Croydon’s community to come together in song and spread holiday cheer”.

The competition will take place in Whitgift Square from December 4 to December 6, and winners will be contacted on December 9 and invited back to perform on December 14.

Below are the Christmas market opening times:

Saturday, December 14 – 9am to 7pm

Sunday, December 15 – 11am to 5pm

Monday, December 16 – 10am to 7pm

Tuesday, December 17 – 10am to 7pm

Wednesday, December 18 – 10am to 7pm

Thursday, December 19 – 9am to 8pm

Friday, December 20 – 9am to 8pm

Saturday, December 21 – 9am to 8pm

Sunday, December 22 – 11am to 5pm

Monday, December 23 – 9am to 8pm

Tuesday, December 24 – 9am to 6pm