Festive Fun at the Open Havelock in Ealing brings community together

The Open Havelock community space in Ealing was filled with laughter and cheer as families came together for an afternoon of festive fun on Saturday 20 December.

Published: 30/12/2025

The free event welcomed people of all ages and gave neighbours the chance to get together and celebrate.

Children joined in with dancing to their favourite Christmas songs, got creative with arts and crafts, and had a go at decorating gingerbread people. There was also face painting, plenty of delicious seasonal treats on offer and pizza for all.

A snow machine and festive props added magic to the day. The decor included A DIY five-tier Christmas tree made from foam board triangles, which children from the local community helped to make at craft sessions in the lead up to the event. Children proudly hung baubles they had hand-crafted during their weekly sessions onto the community tree.  

There was also a high-energy "Bolly-Bhangra" Christmas song session that had everyone on their feet and Santa made a special appearance, with presents for the kids.  

The event was led by Sarah from Our Moving Stories, with support from not-for-profit housing association Peabody, Let’s Go Southall, Food Glorious Food CIC, Good Neighbours Tenants and Residents Association and Ealing Councillor John Martin for Norwood Green ward.

Our Moving Stories is a community-focused organisation based in Southall that holds regular creative arts and movement sessions for all ages and abilities at Open Havelock.

Sarah from Our Moving Stories said: “Witnessing people of all ages from our local community engaging in activities together was wonderful - more than anything these events are about people connecting with one another and finding shared joy in the creative arts. This is especially important at this time of year, and we are so happy to be able to facilitate a space for this.”  

Emma Hanbury, Community Investment Lead at Peabody said: “It was wonderful to see so many families come together and enjoy such a joyful, creative afternoon. Events like this are all about building connections, celebrating our communities, and creating moments that bring people closer.”