In partnership with Croydon BID, next month a 15-foot Elf on the Shelf® installation will bring joy and seasonal magic to Croydon’s community as it visits Fairfield Halls.
Embarking on a journey across eight town centre locations, local families will be encouraged to visit local landmarks, take pictures, and spread festive cheer as they explore the borough. Visitors to Fairfield Halls are also encouraged to share any photos on Facebook and Instagram – @croydonfairfield.
The Elf on the Shelf® is a cherished tradition based on the bestselling book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. The story follows magical Scout Elves sent by Santa Claus to help monitor his Naughty and Nice List.
The Elf will be towering over Fairfield Halls from Friday 13-Sunday 15 December 2024 – just in time to kick off the venue’s busy panto season. Curtains lift on performances of SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS from Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025.
This captivating addition to Croydon’s Christmas season marks the first time London has joined the exclusive, city-wide experience, attracting holiday visitors from across the UK and further afield.
Fairfield Halls is operated by registered charity and social enterprise BH Live in partnership with Croydon Council.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, Director of Venues shared;
“We are delighted to welcome The Elf on the Shelf® to Fairfield Halls. Situated in the heart of Croydon, Fairfield Halls is the perfect place to welcome such a fun (and naughty!) visitor. We hope that everyone who comes to see Croydon’s Elf – including our annual pantogoers – will have great fun getting into the seasonal spirit and take lots of pictures.”
Matthew Sims, CEO of Croydon BID, commented:
“In a first for London, we are so excited to be bringing The Elf on the Shelf® to Croydon. For many, this beloved holiday tradition adds humour, magic and festive cheer each year, and we aim to do the same in our town centre. We hope this exciting, free activity will sprinkle a bit of seasonal magic for everyone who lives in, works in and visits Croydon this Christmas.”
A spokesperson from Croydon Council shared;
“The Elf on a Shelf is a welcome festive visitor to our borough and will be enjoying the view from our landmark Clock Tower and Fairfield Halls this December. We look forward to seeing him travel around as part of Croydon’s many festive celebrations.”
To celebrate Croydon’s new holiday tradition, Croydon BID is launching a UK-wide competition to name this festive Scout Elf. The winning name will be revealed on Monday 25th November, with the winner receiving a £100 Pandora™ gift card. More information on how to enter can be found at croydonbid.com
For bookings, more information, and what’s on, visit fairfieldhalls.co.uk.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
For more information about BH Live please contact:
Daisy Saunders, PR & Communications Executive
E: press.office@bhlive.org.uk
For more information about Croydon BID please contact:
Kayleigh Paget, Marketing & Communications Manager
E: kayleigh.paget@croydonbid.com
About BH Live
Champions of community engagement, health and wellness across Dorset, Hampshire, and London
BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, is a leading operator of sports and leisure centres, theatres, and event venues. Our vision is to create sustainable and inspiring opportunities, deliver great experiences for our communities, and improve health and well-being.
With a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, BH Live continues to enhance the quality of people’s lives, health and wellbeing in the communities it serves.
BH Live was established in 2010. Local authority partners include BCP Council, Portsmouth City Council and Croydon Council.
We are at the heart of the UK’s growing social economy. Together with our partners we are helping to change lives and make a positive impact in the community.
For more visit bhlive.org.uk.
Get social with us: LinkedIn, X – @BHLIVE_UK | Facebook @SocialEnterpriseBHLive | Instagram @bhliveuk
BH Live is a leisure and cultural trust, established in 2010 as a ‘non profit distributing organisation’ (NPDO) for public benefit to promote participation in leisure and cultural events. BH Live is a Company Limited by Guarantee and Registered Charity. Charity No: 1138311. Company No: 07092112. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. BH Live (Enterprises) Ltd, is a Private Company Limited by Shares and a wholly owned subsidiary of BH Live. Company No: 07175626. VAT Reg No: 108 2248 37. Registered Office: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5BH. Registered in England and Wales.
About Fairfield Halls, Croydon
Fairfield Halls is managed BH Live, a registered charity and social enterprise, in partnership with Croydon Council.
With a long and distinguished history, Fairfield Halls sits in the heart of Croydon.
Spaces inside the venue include its 809-seat Ashcroft Theatre, the world-class 1,802-seat Concert Hall, and The Recreational a 750-capacity standing live music venue. Additional studio space is available in the adjoining John Whitgift Community Cube which is also home to a vibrant café open daily serving food and drink. As well as the main auditoriums, there are additional spaces and rooms that regularly accommodate local business events, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, consumer-led events, and attractions such as family gatherings and celebrations.
The venue is also home to a well-attended Yamaha Music School providing a comprehensive learning programme including keyboard, guitar, singing and drums to hundreds of local people aged two years and upwards.
Companies in residence at Fairfield Halls include Talawa, and London Mozart Players.
Following a major refurbishment in 2019, the venue’s opening seasons included an eclectic mix of theatre, music, comedy, performance, dance and family entertainment including an annual festive pantomime.
Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother opened the Fairfield Halls on Friday 2 November 1962. The inaugural concert in the Concert Hall was performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, with renowned soloist Yehudi Menuhin also performing.
The Ashcroft Theatre was opened on 5 November by Croydon-born Dame Peggy Ashcroft, with the opening ceremony including a monologue by Sir John Betjeman called ‘Local Girl Made Good’. The first play performed was Royal Gambit, starring Dulcie Gray.
The Arnhem Foyer is named after Croydon’s twin-town of Arnhem in the Netherlands.
Buy tickets
- Buy tickets online at fairfield.co.uk
- Buy tickets by phone 0300 500 0595
- In person from box office at Fairfield Halls – see website for opening times.
For call charges, opening times and more visit fairfield.co.uk
Follow us on:
Facebook – @fairfieldcroydon
Instagram – @croydonfairfield
X – @Fairfield_Halls